Seaside declares sanctuary status

UPDATE 03/29/17 10:35 p.m.: With a round of applause, Seaside became the latest sanctuary city on the Central Coast.

“This city feels (better) for our community people and also for the immigrant people that live here in Seaside,” said Sergio Rangel, who came to the U.S. 31 years ago on a visa and then just stayed.

The vote came two days after Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened to pull funding from any city that doesn’t cooperate with the federal government.

“Public safety as well as national security are at stake and put them at risk of losing federal dollars,” Sessions said.

Seaside gets $1.4 million a year from the government, but the city council said building community trust is even more valuable.

“We understand that’s a possibility, but more and more cities are becoming sanctuaries, and that definitely makes us feel more confident,” said council member Kayla Jones.

Still, some don’t support the move and are critical of undocumented immigrants staying in the country illegally.

But those like Rangle said it’s about wanting a better life.

“More than 11 million immigrants from around the world that they come to the United States to do the right thing, just work,” Rangle said.

The city’s decision brought a sigh of relief for many families in the area with that same goal in mind.

“It actually calms me down, and when I give them the news, they might get happy as well,” said Margarita Romero, whose in-laws live in Seaside.

As for the federal dollars that could be on the chopping block, Seaside council members said they will wait and see what happens.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Seaside city council held a special meeting Wednesday to discuss and vote on a sanctuary city resolution.

In a 4-1 vote, city leaders passed the resolution.

During the discussion, city manager Craig Malin said it’s essential that residents feel safe and protected in Seaside.

“We are a sanctuary for inclusion, diversity, and rule of law,” Malin said.

However, the city risks losing the $1.4 million federal funding it gets every year by declaring sanctuary status.

KION’s Linda Zhang will have more on this story tonight at 10 and 11.