ICE has sold S-Comm to local police departments as a program focused on Level I "high-threat" criminal immigrants (such as kidnappers, drug dealers and murders). However, according to ICE's own data, the vast majority (79%) of people deported due to S-Comm are non-criminals or were picked up for lower level offenses, such as traffic offenses or petty juvenile mischief.

Local community members in support of AB 1081, who greatly outnumbered opponents (Take Back Santa Cruz) at the city council meeting, point out that in Santa Cruz County, the percentages of persons deported who are categorized as non-criminals or low level offenders is 86%, which is higher than the national average.