Long Beach Transit has acknowledged the “uncertainty surrounding the intent of the June 23 memorandum from President and CEO Kenneth A. McDonald.” The memo, which directed transit employees to ultimately comply with federal immigration agents, received intense criticism from both the community and its leaders.
Shortly following, LBT and a slew of other auxiliary agencies signed on to follow the Long Beach Values Act. These are organizations that are not city-owned or operated but provide core services. And the question remains how they will properly train employees to prepare for encounters with agents.
Earlier this year, Long Beach strengthened its commitment to immigrant protections.It expanded its 2017 Values Act, originally crafted in response to threats from then-President Trump to defund sanctuary cities. It, first and foremost, issued a stern lack of cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The updated policy includes an additional $200,000 for the city’s free legal defense fund for immigrants. (For which community organizers are calling for a significant increase.) And it introduced stricter rules that prohibit contractors from sharing city data with federal immigration authorities.
The following entities signed on in support of the Values Act: Harbor. Utilities. City Clerk. Police Oversight. Prosecutor. Auditor. Attorney. Legislative. Long Beach Transit. The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. Long Beach Unified School District. And, lastly, Long Beach City College.
Long Beach Transit’s direct response to its ICE memo.
“I apologize for any confusion caused by my memo,” said McDonald. “At LBT, our mission—connecting communities and moving people to make everyday life better—underscores our commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and customer-focused service. I am proud to have signed on to the Long Beach Values Act and stand in solidarity with our city partners and the communities we serve.”
According to LBT, McDonald will eventually issue an updated memorandum “clarifying what employees should do if federal agents arrive at an LBT facility and/or buses.”
This information, which will be released by Friday, July 11, aligns with “LBT’s mission and values, the Long Beach Values Act, and is consistent with the recommendations from Mayor Richardson’s memo and the guidance from the Long Beach City Manager to City employees. LBT will take proactive steps advising customers of their rights under the Long Beach Values Act with notifications on board buses, at bus stops, the Transit Visitor Information Center, and LBT’s website and social media. All information will be available in multiple languages.”
As noted throughout the situation, LBT once again emphasizes that, as of now, no federal agents have been reported to being present in the system.
A shame that my former city succumbed to thwarting the laws of our land, the USA! California has been ruined by people like you and this bs nonsense of a sanctuary city, state, whatever, which is code for open borders! Everyone is leaving CA, because of these tactics. Your foolish Governor thinks he’s presidential material, when he can’t resist a mirror! Such a shame you don’t even realize what you’re supporting! Why not move to Mexico or elsewhere, rather than designate our once glorious town!?
The Long Beach Transit CEO, whether intentional or not, has basically invited ICE to board buses and arrest undocumented passengers. This is an outrage and will cause further panic, deservedly so.