Workshop empowers East Palo Alto residents

Photo courtesy of pixabay.com

East Palo Alto’s status as a sanctuary city was more than a talking point Thursday afternoon. It was a call to action. Councilmember Ruben Abrica opened a legal workshop at the East Palo Alto City Hall by reaffirming the city’s commitment to protecting immigrant communities and empowering residents with the tools to understand and exercise their rights.

The event, titled “How to Expunge Problematic Records… and Rights and Responsibilities in a Traffic Stop by Law Enforcement Including by ICE,” featured legal experts Katrina T. Logan, the executive director of Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, and Mitri Hanania, the managing attorney of the Adult Division of the San Mateo County Private Defender Program.

The workshop began with a discussion on expungement—a process that can seal certain criminal records from public view. Hanania clarified that while expunged records remain visible to law enforcement and immigration agencies like ICE, USCIS, and Homeland Security, they can still be critical in improving employment opportunities and housing access.

He said that the process of vacating convictions—reversing them altogether is powerful, particularly in cases where individuals were not properly advised of immigration consequences before pleading guilty. Hanania cited Padilla v. Kentucky, a landmark case that established a defendant’s right to such information.

He also discussed “immigration-neutral” offenses—charges less likely to lead to deportation, such as the following California Penal Codes:

· PC 415 – Disturbing the Peace

· PC 240 – Assault

· PC 242 – Battery

· PC 459 – Commercial Burglary

In contrast, violent crimes and drug-related offenses typically have more severe immigration consequences.

Hanania also addressed the ongoing public defender shortage in the Bay Area, pointing to high living costs and private-sector competition. He urged attendees to understand which legal aid services correspond to their case’s jurisdiction and he emphasized the importance of accessing qualified legal support.

A key portion of the afternoon focused on the divide between criminal and immigration court systems—a gap that can confuse and disadvantage non-citizen residents. Both Hanania and Logan emphasized that this complexity makes legal guidance essential.

The discussion then turned to the California Values Act (SB 54), which defines the limits of local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration agencies. Under SB 54:

· Local police cannot be deputized by ICE

· Cities may not inquire about immigration status

· Certain information is restricted from federal sharing

Hanania also educated attendees on their rights during a traffic stop. While officers may legally ask a driver to exit a vehicle, he said that individuals still have constitutional protections, including the right to:

· Ask the officer’s agency affiliation (law enforcement, CHP, or immigration)

· Inquire about the reason for the stop

· Remain silent and request a lawyer

· Ask, “Am I free to go?”

The workshop concluded with a conversation about Fourth Amendment rights for people living in vehicles—an important topic for communities experiencing housing instability. Hanania noted that vehicles, unlike homes, are subject to different search and privacy laws, and mobility can reduce protection from warrantless searches.

Adding to the afternoon’s positive show of support, Priscilla Molina, a representative from Congress member Kevin Mullin’s office, spoke briefly to reaffirm his ongoing dedication to East Palo Alto’s immigrant community. Her presence underscored the importance of coordinated support across all levels of government in protecting vulnerable populations.

In closing, Hanania offered a message of solidarity: “We don’t want people to live in fear, or to feel alone and hopeless. There are resources available, and we are here to help.”

Both speakers encouraged residents to reach out to Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto or the County of San Mateo Private Defender Program for individualized support.

 ***********************

Please click on the box below and make a donation. Whatever amount you give will enable us to "Keep Community Media Alive!"