More than two dozen elected officials in Santa Barbara County signed a letter addressed to County Sheriff Bill Brown urging him to oppose the recent escalation of immigration enforcement against local residents.
The letter, sent on Friday, was signed by representatives from across local government, along with Representative Salud Carbajal, Senator Monique Limón, and Assemblymember Gregg Hart. It calls on Sheriff Brown to use his platform as the head of a prominent national law enforcement organization to advocate for the de-escalation of the militarized immigration enforcement campaign.
Sheriff Brown currently serves as President of the Major County Sheriffs of America, a D.C.-based law enforcement advocacy organization representing the nation’s largest sheriff’s offices, serving over 100 million Americans. He previously served as President of both the California State Sheriffs’ Association and the California Police Chiefs Association.
Santa Barbara County was the site of one of the high-profile Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting farmworkers on July 10. Following the raid, several protests and community meetings took place on the South Coast showing vast community support for immigrants and the denouncement of such raids.
“Hardworking people have been taken into custody at gunpoint by masked agents. Young children have been left to survive without their parents. Community members have been detained because their race and appearance trigger agents’ ‘reasonable suspicion,’” the letter states. “From immigrants being sent to an El Salvador megaprison without any due process to United States citizens being detained, our nation is experiencing unprecedented challenges to human dignity and civil liberties. Our community cannot accept this.”
The letter argues Sheriff Brown has the opportunity to use his platform to advance the values of his constituents and oppose heavy-handed immigration enforcement policies that are harming our community.
At a recent Board of Supervisors hearing following the July 10 raid, Sheriff Brown briefly acknowledged the fear and challenges caused by the current immigration enforcement campaign, but local officials are calling for him to publicly raise these concerns through his national platform.
“As President of the Major County Sheriffs of America, you are in a unique position to call for the de-escalation of the attack on our immigrant communities. We call on you to do everything within your power as the leader of this national law enforcement advocacy organization to publicly stand up against the Administration’s dangerous immigration enforcement campaign that is putting your constituents in harm’s way. As our elected sheriff, we are counting on you to be a voice for our shared constituents as you advocate for change in Washington, D.C., and we expect nothing less,” the letter states.
The Major County Sheriffs of America has not issued a public statement on recent ICE activities.
The full text of the letter is provided below:
July 25, 2025
The Honorable Bill Brown
Santa Barbara County Sheriff
Dear Sheriff Brown,
As elected leaders in our community, we are horrified by the violent and militarized mass deportation campaign that is unfolding. Every day, we hear from our constituents who are fearful and anxious about the heavy-handed immigration enforcement operations taking place. Most recently, federal agents provoked chaos in our region through raids designed to instill fear.
Hardworking people have been taken into custody at gunpoint by masked agents. Young children have been left to survive without their parents. Community members have been detained because their race and appearance trigger agents’ “reasonable suspicion.” From immigrants being sent to an El Salvador megaprison without any due process to United States citizens being detained, our nation is experiencing unprecedented challenges to human dignity and civil liberties. Our community cannot accept this.
As President of the Major County Sheriffs of America, you are in a unique position to call for the de-escalation of the attack on our immigrant communities. We call on you to do everything within your power as the leader of this national law enforcement advocacy organization to publicly stand up against the Administration’s dangerous immigration enforcement campaign that is putting your constituents in harm’s way. As our elected sheriff, we are counting on you to be a voice for our shared constituents as you advocate for change in Washington, D.C., and we expect nothing less.
Thank you for your attention to this request. Principled law enforcement leaders must stand up against this attack on our civil liberties and the values that define our nation. This moment demands your leadership. Your voice can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Salud Carbajal, United States Representative
Monique Limón, California State Senator
Gregg Hart, California State Assemblymember
Laura Capps, Santa Barbara County Supervisor
Roy Lee, Santa Barbara County Supervisor
Julia Mayer, Carpinteria City Councilmember
Monica Solorzano, Carpinteria City Councilmember & Vice Mayor
James Kyriaco, Goleta City Councilmember
Jennifer Smith, Goleta City Councilmember
Christina Hernandez, Guadalupe City Councilmember
Jeremy Ball, Lompoc City Councilmember
Oscar Gutierrez, Santa Barbara City Councilmember
Wendy Santamaria, Santa Barbara City Councilmember
Kristen Sneddon, Santa Barbara City Councilmember
Gloria Soto, Santa Maria City Councilmember
Alejandra Enciso, Allan Hancock Joint Community College District Trustee
Ethan Bertrand, Goleta Union School District Board Vice President
Emily Zacarias, Goleta Union School District Board Member
Spencer Brandt, Isla Vista Community Services District Board President
Jonathan Abboud, Santa Barbara City College Board President
Kyle Richards, Santa Barbara City College Board Vice President
Katya Armistead, Santa Barbara County Board of Education Member
Nadra Ehrman, Santa Barbara County Board of Education Member
Gabe Escobedo, Santa Barbara Unified School District Board President
Rose Muñoz, Santa Barbara Unified School District Board Member
Luz Maria Cabral, Santa Maria-Bonita School District Board Member
Ricardo Valencia, Santa Maria-Bonita School District Board Member
Alma Hernandez, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Trustee
Peter Wright, Santa Ynez College School District Board Member
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Many of the MCSA’s member counties are deep red and voted for Trump. And Sheriffs are typically elected so they often reflect county voters. So I’ll be surprised if anything significant comes of this, regardless of what you think of Sheriff Brown:
https://mcsheriffs.com/members
My guess is many of the officials who signed the letter knew this. Worth a try though.
I think we have better chances with the two lawsuits moving through the federal courts. There’s already been a temporary restraining order imposed on federal agents issued by US district court judge Frimpong (the day after the Camarillo raids) and I think the lawsuit being brought by the ACLU and jointed by LA County, City of Los Angeles, Pasadena, etc is just getting started.,
The point of the letter is saying he was elected to SB County and represents SB County – a very blue county. So he should speak out on behalf of what the majority of his constituents want and how they feel. Based on what the MCSA is reposting on twitter, they’ll never say this, but Brown as an individual and a representative of SB County can.
I sense we’re on the same side but I’m curious … what can the sheriff say or do differently, within the bounds of the law, that will have real practical consequences locally?
The two federal lawsuits in CA I mentioned *will* have practical consequences because they will provide legal grounds for preventing unjust detentions/deportations *and* will have both local and national effect. It’s been brought up, but I don’t know if SB will join the ACLU suit – the municipalities who had joined a few weeks ago probably have much larger city attorney’s offices/budgets than ours.
Anyways, the letter seems like low chances of anything significant coming out of it, but hopefully I’m wrong. Given that local law enforcement is limited in how it can respond during federal enforcement actions (sometimes even when done unlawfully), I’d rather see the letter writers (i.e., city council, county) prioritize their energy and budget on educating themselves about the two lawsuits and looking at potential effects on local law enforcement, and possibly joining the ACLU lawsuit if it makes sense.
Legally he can refuse to aid ICE in their raids. SB Police Chief stated they will not assist ICE directly, they will only respond to local issues like crowd control or disturbances. Sheriff Brown has not said this and I believe this is the crux of the issue here. Locals want to know he supports locals and not ICE.
Legally he can refuse? Sheriff Brown is already prohibited from aiding federal immigration enforcement/arrests by CA SB54:
https://www.aclunc.org/our-work/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-local-law-enforcement-and-immigration-under-california-0
So why spend energy on something *performative* when you can make real change happen on the ground by aiding in the two lawsuits and preparing for how to lever them after adjudication?
If Judge Frimpong’s TRO ruling in the UFW lawsuit becomes permanent, then local jurisdictions will need to think about how they’ll respond. Will there be anything they can do differently before/during future arrests (right now, there’s not much that can be done, including interfering with the arrest)? Or will the ruling only help detainees fight an unjust detention after the fact?
Local LE agencies, district attorneys, city councils, supervisors, etc. should start thinking about this now and get on the same page. That’s a much wiser investment of resources IMO.
Absolutely. And so? No one’s asking local LE to “aid ICE in their raids” though. If you’re worried that Brown’s going to send his deputies out to aid ICE agents during Fiesta, well…I’d say you’re paranoid. Again, all this spouting about what the County Sheriff should or should not do is just silly. He’s doing his job. You don’t like it, fine.
You are willfully ignorant as always. It’s happening throughout the US. California has a law against it, but doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
“More than 600 local police agencies are partnering with ICE”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2025/06/17/map-shows-where-police-law-enforcement-can-partner-with-ice-raids/84185758007/
“How are sheriff’s offices working with ICE? We asked 10 departments in Northern California”
https://www.kcra.com/article/northern-california-sheriff-offices-ice-detainers/65353865
San Diego Police Department provides ’emergency assistance’ in ICE raids
https://www.10news.com/news/san-diego-police-department-provides-emergency-assistance-in-ice-raids
“Willfully ignorant” is the nicest possible way you could describe a liar like BASIC.
The KCRA link is interesting. It sounds like CA SB54 allows local LE to assist in an ICE detention if the person has been convicted of a serious or violent felony. I wonder if things like petty theft convictions count? Excerpts below:
“If they (ICE) have a detainer request on an arrest or an inmate, they have to meet very specific criteria that are outlined in SB 54,” Gandhi added. “The predicate charges have to be convictions.”
Not only convictions, but also SB 54 allows law enforcement to comply if the person has been previously convicted of a serious or violent felony in the past.
Bootlicker Brown. He’s MAGA through and through.
His response or lack thereof will be telling. I hope he does the right thing. We don’t need cowardice and cruelty supported by our highest law enforcement officers.
then we remove Brown finally and replace him. He does whats right, or he finds a new job. We have the power to replace him.
NK – I doubt Brown gives a schiff about your threat as he can retire any day. My guess is Brown will support all law enforcement personnel in the job they do. ICE and other agencies do their job and Brown, bound by CA law will do his job.
Hey, what happened to your orange cult leader “stopping the war in Ukraine” on day one? And solving the whole Gaza thing immediately?
Well ALEX, didn’t you hear? While being caught on video cheating at golf and using taxpayers’ money to tour Scotland and set up a deal for his next golf course, Trump told the press he “stopped about 5 wars.” Pretty darn successful at peace making if you ask a moron!
TDS all day everyday. “Cheating in golf” too? That’s so rich. Love it.
BASIC – lying again. If you didn’t give a F about Trump cheating at golf, you wouldn’t have said anything.
Of course you love dishonest people. That’s your jam.
LOL, fake Doc, Trump is a famous golf cheat. Google it. Like you google answers to medical questions.
If you’re so focused on his golf etiquette, I’ve got some news for you…
No one is focused on it, BASIC. I mentioned it in passing and you took it and ran like a 3 legged dog.
I can’t wait to hear your momentous announcement.
Don’t hold your breath….
No honest, intelligent, or decent person uses the term “TDS”, unless mockingly (and accurately) referring to Trump Devotion Syndrome.
Since you have no intelligence of your own, ask an AI:
There is indeed a significant amount of anecdotal evidence and accounts suggesting that Donald Trump has a reputation for cheating at golf.
Evidence and Accounts
Rick Reilly’s Book: In Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump, sportswriter Rick Reilly details numerous firsthand accounts of Trump allegedly cheating. This includes claims of improving his lie, moving his ball, and taking unearned gimmes.
Witness Accounts: Various professional and celebrity golfers, including Samuel L. Jackson and Oscar De La Hoya, have publicly stated that they have witnessed Trump cheating during games.
Caddies and Playing Partners: Some of Trump’s own caddies and playing partners have shared stories about him miscounting strokes and having others adjust scores for him.
Speaking of TDS … https://x.com/AlexSteeleWow/status/1950396916589588589/photo/1
BASIC – ““Cheating in golf” too? That’s so rich. Love it.”
https://time.com/7305906/video-appears-to-show-president-trump-cheating-at-golf/
Yeah, NotADoc, that happened. You see, unlike you, I don’t make a daily habit of posting blatant lies that a 6 year old could prove wrong with a 2 second Google search.
It’s crazy, I know, but not everyone here is a pathological liar. Just you 🙂
No, I don’t give a F- if he was “cheating in golf”. You swung and missed. Who cares…
Of course you don’t care. You love liars and cheats.
According dufus do-lie we were all going to be loving Trump 3 months into his administration. There’s no one here who is more dishonest and depraved, although there are ties.
Yes, let’s have our Sheriffs get into it in a battle with ICE. Great idea.
Or, he gets kicked out or bails outta here to find another job and then the Dems find a Dem sheriff that they like and s/he goes ahead and makes that mess for themselves? Huh? That’s the plan?
BASICALLYILLITERATE – “Yes, let’s have our Sheriffs get into it in a battle with ICE. ”
Read fudging the letter, DW. It’s not that long.
Oh I read it. Very short. Zero specifics. Sounds like a generalized complaint and attempt to shift the blame on Brown…to do what? What should the Sheriff have his guys do exactly? Write letters? Press conferences condemning ICE and Trump? Forcibly take them on?
Seems like a nothingburger political play from local politicians to look for Dem votes and try not to look like they’re doing nothing. Ok.
LOL BASIC – You may have read it, but you clearly didn’t understand it if you think it’s about demanding that “Sheriffs get into it in a battle with ICE.”
Also, it in no way asks him to “forcibly take them on.” Nor does it ask him to have “his guys” do anything.
It’s simply asking him to stand up for the people of his community and voice our concerns in Washington DC about the military-style ICE raids and general terrorizing of innocent people because, as IT SAYS CLEARLY… he is the President of the Major County Sheriffs of America.
Come on, dude. You can’t really expect us to believe that you read and understood what it means. Heck, have a child read it to you and explain. Pretty BASIC.
Ah yea, you’re saying it’s a “gesture”?! Political maneuver. Ok. Like I said, good luck.
Not at all what I’m saying.
Asking someone to stand up and attempt to stop a certain type of activity from happening in a certain way is not a gesture.
Stop being so predictable.
“Attempt to stop” = exactly what? That’s the point I’m making that you’re just dodging. What specifically should he do, apart from what I’ve already suggested? I’m curious if you can conjure up something here, apart from the usual angry insults which are useless and sad.😞
BASIC – ““Attempt to stop” = exactly what? ”
LOL I’m not “dodging” anything, you’re just not using your brain here. Listen, I don’t know how much more I can dumb this down for you, but, like always, I’ll try.
He is the President of the MCSA (read the article). The other leaders of CA want him to use that position of influence to speak up for the people of his county and stand up in opposition to the current ICE tactics. That means, saying he doesn’t agree with it. That could also mean that my saying that with his position of power/influence, it might make a difference and do something to stop the way ICE is harassing and terrorizing innocent people in our community.
I really can’t make this any more clear for you. Your brain is supposed to read an article and understand what it means.
I’m getting tired of having to constantly chew your food for you in a sense.
Organize and resist SB. Download IceBlock app and drop a pin. Masked kidnappers are lodging at Marriott on State and using gas cards at AMPM on State. Their cars have tinted windows (zero sunlight), high performance tires, and lack a license plate frame. These military age males are enjoying our restaurants and services in their off-time. You can approach them off duty, you can honk your horn if you see them passing, you can slow down to the speed limit if they are behind you on the freeway, you can record them at Fiesta while wearing your SPF hat/ face covering. Stay legal and be a part of popular uprising.
And you can kindly tell them to foff while on duty as well as off duty. Chumps
Let’s hope he gets the message!
MAGA supporters are enemies of the people. They live among us.
Dem city, Dem state. Look at all the Dem city’s . Look at NY today, all because hey need people to vote for them . It’s screwed up our country. Work with immigration laws , not against. There’s not much more left you can screw up . Don’t blame Trump , blame yourselves
Please don’t post after ingesting alcohol, and try to use English.
GIZ – “Work with immigration laws , not against.”
This is getting old. Hundreds of thousands are now subject to deportation because Trump took away their protections. He shut down asylum cases (except for white South Africans), has been preventing Visas and green cards, and has directed ICE to arrest people at their immigration court hearings where they are WORKING WITH IMMIGRATION LAWS. So just effing stop with this crap.
His team just denies visas to a bunch of Venezuelan 12 year olds from playing in the Little League WORLD SERIES.
You people don’t care about the laws. It’s never been about that. Just fing stop.
No sheriff in his right mind would or should turn down an opportunity to rid his community of criminals.
It’s as simple as that. That’s the job!
DAVID – you mean the few actual violent criminals they’ve caught while harassing, abusing, detaining and ripping from families the other 70-80% of non criminals?
Too bad that’s not what they are doing.
Right, let’s rid the community of ICE.
The broad immigration sweeps are ICE’s harsh response to the jails not releasing criminals who also happen to be undocumented to ICE agents much like Israel continuing it’s heavy handed attacks on GAZA as Hamas continues to hold Israeli hostages. It almost seems like progressives would rather these horrific scenarios continue to further stoke their social justice flames at great cost to many innocents .
The analogy is apt but is an indictment of both of them, and you.
This is a sheriff that has only allowed 170ish CCWs. What a joke he is. You better believe he’s afraid of immigrants, and probably when the wind whistles.
The Sheriff already chose D.C. over locals.
Local…illegal immigrants?
“Chose”? I don’t think so. He doesn’t have a choice. What would you suggest he do? Maybe a letter, press conference, or should the sheriffs show up and go toe to toe with federal law enforcement agents? lol…
You still have no idea what you’re talking about, Dr. “Reef Balls Aren’t Artificial Reefs”….
Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article. Read the article.
And then use that “award-winning” brain of yours.
I just want to make sure I understand….this letter, to our head of local law enforcement…written, promoted and signed by local, state and federal elected officials…is asking him to not allow the law to be upheld by the Feds?
Don’t delete me Ed…sincere question here. Just let me get attacked by sack and annon and the other regulars please. Thank you.
No STEVE, you don’t understand. That’s not what it says at all. It’s pretty simple English. Read it again.
Which laws are you talking about? The ones that the Federal government is choosing to enforce, the ones that that the Federal government is not choosing to enforce, or the ones that the Federal government is breaking? Don’t delete me, Steve, sincere question here, just let me get attacked by all our local bootlicking junior fascists.
If you understood, it would be a first.
Federal Laws. Until these change, which will not happen, not much will change locally.
But HS and its ICE thugs are ignoring federal laws, which you ignore in your politically motivated blindness. It’s amazing how cons shout about law and order while turning a blind eye toward their own transgressions.
Gallop poll shows 2 billion worldwide want to emigrate to USA. If ICE continues their deliberate interference they may change their minds.
RUBY – I’m not sure making the USA an undesirable place to live, even more so than it already is now, is a success for anyone by any measure. Well, unless you like living where basic freedoms and protections are removed, science is officially ignored by the government, racism is acceptable, basic healthcare is unattainable for most, education is a low priority, facts and truth have no meaning, and quality of life in general is already relatively low compared to other First World countries, and getting lower.
RUBY – you keep talking about this supposed 2 billion people who WANT to move to the USA. So what? Who cares? I bet the entire population of the planet WANTS to have a golden pony that pukes dollar bills. Again, who cares what they WANT? Doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.
How about you provide a cite for that “poll” in the first place? Just saying it’s so doesn’t make it true.
What is a gallop poll? Something from the rodeo??
Gallup polls show that 99% of thw world’s population knows you make stuff up.
Let’s ask ChatGPT.
🔍 What Gallup actually reports:
🌍 Overall Migration Interest
In 2021, about 16% of global adults—roughly 900 million people—said they would like to move permanently to another country if they could.
🇺🇸 Among those who want to migrate:
Approximately 18–21% named the United States as their preferred destination.
That amounts to roughly 150–170 million adults, not billions
📉 Trends by Year:
Gallup polling in previous years (e.g., 2015–2017) estimated:
~750 million global adults wanted to migrate
~158 million mentioned the U.S. as their preferred place
🧮 Summary Estimates:
Metric Approximate Value
Global adults wanting to migrate ~750–900 million
Of those choosing U.S. ~150–170 million adults
Total population of adults ~5 billion+
🚫 Where “2 billion” Likely Comes From
It’s possible some sources misinterpreted the percentage of worldwide adults or potential migrants, or tried to extrapolate to include children or future generations.
Conservative extrapolations using adult-to-child ratios might inflate the number (e.g., multiply adult figures by household size), but Gallup does not provide a 2 billion figure anywhere.
✅ Final Verdict
No credible Gallup data supports “2 billion want to move to the U.S.”
The highest reliable estimate is ~170 million adults naming the U.S. as their preferred destination.
Common misreporting or misunderstanding of terminology (adults vs. total population, or desire vs. intent) sometimes inflates these figures.
Wait a second…… MARCEL this was copied from ChatGPT? Is that what it looks like? So does that mean everything SUN says has been from that too? I’ve been arguing with a robot basically?
Once again we see that the xenophobic maggots don’t really care about the distinction between “legal” and “illegal” immigration.
Also, this is the same person who keeps telling us that the U.S. population is declining,
I applaud this letter and am grateful to its signatories.
I am hopeful that Bill Brown will absorb its significance and act accordingly.
“Leaders?!” Not really. These people are breaking federal law at taxpayers expense and are subverting the will of the people. We have borders for a reason; so does the rest of the world. We have emigration procedures; get in line. Citizens have clearly voted to enforce existing laws. We have not voted to allow all of China, Russia, India and all of South/Central America to come and live off our efforts. We are $37 trillion in debt.
When the escalating violence sown by these “leaders” who have no legal standing comes home to roost as it has so much already, these people will expect you to pay their legal bills. And they’ll do their best to instill more fear uncertainty and doubt in spite of the fact that they’re a main cause of it. Enough of the Operación psicológica.
SARADLG – “subverting the will of the people?” LOL! That’s hilarious.
Even more hilarious is how wrong you are. Most Americans oppose what is happening now. It’s hardly the “will of the people.”
“A recent Gallup poll gives Trump a 35% approval rating on immigration policy — with 62% disapproving. In fact, twice as many U.S. adults strongly disapprove of his handling of the issue as approve of it.” – https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-polling-disapproval-rating-immigration-economy-rcna220922
Also, they are trying to immigrate, not “emigrate.” That’s a different word with a different meaning.
Sara – Have you always been so credulous, or is something clouding your ability to think?
Salud quit sitting on your hands. What have you done all these different terms? Why are we in this situation now ?
You sure haven’t been paying attention.