Facts

The Sonoma County Sheriffs Dept. collaborated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in joint field operations.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California (ACLU) filed suit against the County, alleging unlawful detentions and racial profiling of Latinos. The ACLU contended that the County engaged in operations with ICE agents that resulted in arrests based solely on suspicion that a person was unlawfully present in the country.

Result

The parties reached a settlement whereby the County agreed not to participate in joint operations unless ICE refrained from arresting solely based on illegal immigration suspicions. The County also agreed not to volunteer information to ICE about people in custody due solely to traffic infractions. The two individual plaintiffs reached settlements with both the County and Federal defendants that included monetary payments. The monetary damages consisted of $3,000 to plaintiff Sanchez-Lopez, and $5,000 to plaintiff Sonato-Vega - no other damages, costs, or attorney fees were paid as part of the settlement, and all plaintiffs dismissed all claims against the County defendants with prejudice.

Other Information

CIRSC's claims for injunctive relief against the Federal defendants remain active.