Contra Costa County to hold annual TRUTH Act community forum on immigration enforcement activities this August

Martinez, California – Contra Costa County residents will have an opportunity to learn more about local immigration enforcement practices and ask questions during the county’s annual TRUTH Act Community Forum, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The public discussion will take place during the regular Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting and will focus on civil immigration enforcement activities involving the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office.

During the forum, officials will present 2025 data showing how the Sheriff’s Office responded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Requests for Notification involving people who were already in custody for serious or violent offenses. County officials said the presentation is part of the reporting requirements established under California law.

The annual event has been held every year since 2017 under California’s Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds (TRUTH) Act, which requires local governments to publicly report certain interactions with federal immigration authorities while giving community members an opportunity to participate in an open discussion.

Public invited to attend and take part

Board of Supervisors Chair Diane Burgis, who represents District 3, said the annual forum is designed to promote transparency and encourage meaningful conversations between residents and local government.

“The annual TRUTH Act forum reflects our commitment to strengthening trust through open dialogue,” Burgis said. “By creating a space for the public to ask questions, hear information directly from local law enforcement, and share their concerns, we ensure these conversations are grounded in transparency that keeps our community informed and engaged.”

Residents who want to attend in person may do so at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez, where the Board of Supervisors meeting will be held.

The county will also provide several options for those who cannot attend in person. The meeting will be streamed live through the county’s website and televised on AT&T U-verse Channel 99, Comcast Channel 27, and WAVE Channel 32.

Community members who wish to participate may speak during the meeting in person, by telephone, or through Zoom. Those who prefer to submit comments before the meeting may send them by email to the county’s designated TRUTH Act address or mail them to the Clerk of the Board at the county offices in Martinez.

To make the meeting more accessible, county officials said it will include real-time closed captioning as well as live translation through Wordly, allowing more residents to follow the discussion and participate in the public forum.

County leaders said the annual meeting is intended to keep the public informed about how local agencies interact with federal immigration authorities while providing a transparent setting where residents can ask questions, express concerns, and hear directly from county officials.