Santa Clara County supervisors have unanimously passed an ordinance creating the Bay Area’s first official “ICE-free zone.” The new law, enacted on Tuesday, restricts federal immigration officers from using county-owned or controlled properties, such as parking lots and garages, to stage enforcement operations. However, it does not prevent immigration agents from making arrests if they have a judicial warrant or court order.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the ordinance aims to limit the federal government’s ability to conduct immigration raids in the area. Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, who led the proposal, stated, “We have no responsibility to the federal government’s ICE department to facilitate their work for them for so many different reasons.”
The ordinance comes amid a broader movement in the Bay Area, with cities like San Francisco, San Jose, and Berkeley considering similar measures. San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood introduced legislation to prevent federal agents from using city property for immigration enforcement. Mahmood noted the importance of collaboration among Bay Area cities to ensure their legislation aligns.
The Department of Homeland Security has expressed opposition to these measures, stating that it “will not be deterred from enforcing immigration law.” Despite this, Santa Clara County’s new law is a significant step in the region’s efforts to limit federal immigration enforcement on local properties.
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