Board proclaims solidarity with South Asian residents, debates whether county should take positions on international acts

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation reaffirming the county as a welcoming place for South Asian residents and opposing India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and related measures.

Supervisor Wilma Chan read the proclamation, saying Alameda County is home to a large, diverse South Asian community and that recent Indian laws "blatantly discriminate against Muslims and other" groups. Moina Shaikh of Fremont, introduced as a 2019 Women's Hall of Fame inductee, told the board the CAA and related registries divide South Asian communities and described reports of detention camps and increased violence.

Board members then discussed whether the board should routinely take positions on international issues. "I might just have to abstain because...I'm not a United States Senator...my staff hasn't been directed to study these issues," Supervisor Miley said, explaining she wanted more staff analysis before voting on international policy proclamations. President Valle and other members said they were open to discussing a board policy defining when and how the county should weigh in on matters beyond direct county authority.

The board thanked the speakers and indicated staff will research whether a standing policy exists and, if necessary, how to create one so supervisors can be prepared to decide on similar proclamations in the future.