Board of Supervisors TRUTH Act Forum – September 30, 2025

The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors held a Truth Act Forum on September 30, 2025, focused on transparency regarding local law enforcement's cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2024. Sheriff James Fryhoff presented data on ICE detainers, inmate transfers, and interviews, emphasizing cooperation with ICE only under the narrow circumstances allowed by California Senate Bill 54. The sheriff defended the collaboration as necessary to prevent ICE from conducting community raids and highlighted cases involving inmates with qualifying offenses. The County Probation Chief also reported no participation in immigration enforcement activities within juvenile facilities. The forum included extensive public comment, predominantly from community members and advocacy groups urging the county to end voluntary cooperation with ICE, citing concerns about family separations, community trust, legal liabilities, and the financial costs of collaboration. Speakers criticized the sheriff's absence during public comments and called for increased oversight and policy changes to halt ICE transfers and notifications. No formal votes or motions were taken during the meeting, which concluded after public comments.