Hayward’s “sanctuary” policies are lawful, enhance public safety and will not change

HAYWARD, Calif., May 30, 2025— The City of Hayward was declared a Sanctuary City in 2017 as one important step toward ensuring that all Hayward community members feel safe interacting with local police officers, first responders and other City employees.

Notwithstanding a statement issued today by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that mischaracterizes the intent and effect of Hayward’s Sanctuary City declaration, the declaration and associated policies advance public health and safety in our community.

Hayward’s Sanctuary City declaration and associated polices also are consistent with and protected by the California Trust Act, SB 54, a state law prohibiting the use of local law enforcement personnel and resources in enforcement of federal immigration law.

“Federal courts have ruled in favor of Sanctuary Cities—prohibiting the Trump administration from denying or conditioning the use of federal funds to ‘sanctuary’ jurisdictions—and the City of Hayward’s policies will not change,” Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas said.

As a Sanctuary City, Hayward city employees do not ask about, collect or keep information about the immigration status of anyone we serve, and our police department does not participate in federal immigration law enforcement.

These policies reflect our commitment to equal treatment and service to all community members and the importance of building trust to keep Hayward neighborhoods safe.

They also reflect best practices in local policing and recognize that Hayward is a demographically diverse community with a population that, according to American Community Survey data, is 42 percent foreign born and 18 percent non-citizens of the United States.

To read more about these policies, visit the Sanctuary City page here on the City of Hayward website. There, one can find the Hayward Sanctuary City resolution adopted by the City Council on June 6, 2017, Hayward Police Department Policy 415, covering interaction with federal immigration officials, and City of Hayward Administrative Rule 1.10, which applies to all City employees and sets forth the City’s Immigration Status Non-Discrimination Policy.

To read the Commitment to an Inclusive, Equitable and Compassionate Community, an update to the City’s 1992 Anti-Discrimination Plan, which was drafted by a community task force commissioned by the City Council in January 2017, go online here on the City’s website.