Statement on reported arrests of Hayward residents Antonio Valenzuela and Jose Salgado by U.S. immigration agents

The City of Hayward is awaiting a response from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to an inquiry from Hayward Chief of Police Mark Koller about the arrests of Hayward residents Antonio Valenzuela and Jose Salgado as reported this weekend by the San Jose Mercury News.

On Tuesday, ICE let the Hayward Police Department (HPD) know that two of its agents would be in the city doing compliance checks on subjects they were monitoring with GPS ankle bracelets. Under department policy and in compliance with our recent Sanctuary City declaration, HPD does not participate in or provide support to ICE agents performing compliance checks.

ICE officials did not provide HPD with information regarding any arrests as a result of the operation. Chief Koller has put in a formal request to ICE regarding what happened during the operation and any arrests that may have occurred in conjunction with it.

As a matter of policy, HPD and the City of Hayward employees do not seek to learn the immigration status of people with whom they come into contact in the course of providing law enforcement and other public services. No HPD officer or Hayward city employee may assist federal officials in the enforcement of U.S immigration laws. We are committed to equal treatment of all of our residents regardless of immigration status.

We have these polices because it is vital that all residents feel safe interacting with HPD and city government generally. The circumstances leading up to the arrests of Mr. Valenzuela and Mr. Saldago, as reported by the Mercury News, are concerning because of the potential impact on the trust our officers and local government seek to maintain with all members of our community. The City of Hayward is waiting to hear back from ICE regarding the facts of this incident and will evaluate the situation before deciding how to proceed in this matter.

Downlaod the full press release in Spanish