SAN FRANCISCO — During Thursdays BART Board Meeting, BART Directors Lateefah Simon (D9) and Nick Josefowitz (D8) called for BART to investigate and prepare a Sanctuary in Transit policy for possible adoption by the Board of Directors.

The policy would direct BART to join other cities and counties in BART’s service area, and limit collaboration between BART and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal agencies. This is driven by concerns that BART collaboration with Federal enforcement would undermine trust between BART Police and the communities they serve.

“Over 500,000 undocumented immigrants have made Bay Area their home. Many of these community members use BART to get to their jobs, school, and places of worship in their communities. Local enforcement needs to focus on keeping our communities safe, rather than becoming entangled in federal immigration efforts,” Simon said. “BART is the backbone of the Bay Area. Regardless of their immigration status, riders should have the security of getting to and from work without becoming unduly targeted during their daily commutes.” Simon was elected to the BART Board in November.

“This would be an important step for the BART Police Department, as well as the District. It will ensure that riders and local citizens feel comfortable and safe when they are reporting a crime to BART Police, or are otherwise contacted by officers,” said David Rizk, vice chair of the BART Police Citizen Review Board. “Public safety is built on a foundation of trust between communities and the Police that serve those communities. This proposal will enhance everyone’s public safety by increasing that trust.”

“The Bay Area’s undocumented immigrants are a part of our communities. Many undocumented immigrants ride BART every day. They should feel just as safe and secure as any other BART rider,” said BART Director Nick Josefowitz.

At Thursdays BART Board meeting, more than 10 individuals spoke during the public comment portion, supporting this motion for action.

“As an undocumented person, I’d like to know that my public transit agency has my back. While hate and threats may be coming from Washington DC, California, has chosen to take a stand against this rhetoric and the inhumane actions rolling out. This Sanctuary in Transit policy is a chance reinforce that stance. To say no to hate and to protect people like me.” commented Karem Herrera, from the organization Public Advocates.

The motion at the BART Board meeting requests that BART’s Operations & Safety Committee take up a Sanctuary in Transit policy at its next meeting.