Vote Anticipated on Oakland’s City of Refuge Plan to Restrict ICE Access
Oakland, California – The Oakland City Council is set to vote on an ordinance designed to bolster protections for immigrants by limiting collaboration with federal civil immigration enforcement agencies. This move follows a rally on Monday where Mayor Barbara Lee, along with City Council members Charlene Wang, Noel Gallo, and Ken Houston, joined community activists and law enforcement officials to advocate for the approval of the “city of refuge” measure.
Since 2019, Oakland has been designated as a sanctuary city, with existing policies that embrace immigrants regardless of their legal status. Mayor Lee emphasized the community’s commitment to civil and human rights, stating that they will not permit ICE to disrupt their neighborhoods.
Details of the Proposed Ordinance
The ordinance, if enacted, would introduce several key provisions:
- Ban the collection of immigration status on city forms.
- Prohibit the use of city resources for civil immigration enforcement activities.
- Block Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from accessing non-public facilities without a judicial warrant.
- Strengthen the ban on police cooperation in civil immigration enforcement actions.
Councilmember Wang expressed concerns about the ordinance’s specificity, noting that it does not explicitly prevent the Oakland Police Department from detaining individuals based on immigration detainer status. Police leaders in Oakland believe that the ordinance could foster trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, encouraging residents to report crimes without fear.
Deputy Chief Francisco Rojas remarked on the importance of community reassurance, encouraging individuals to report crimes, especially when they are victims. Jim Wood, an attorney and leader from Faith in Action East Bay who helped draft the ordinance, asserted that this measure would not only protect immigrants but also enhance public safety across all neighborhoods in Oakland.
Growing Fear Among Immigrant Communities
Community groups report a palpable rise in fear among Oakland’s immigrant population, with school absenteeism among families with English learners spiking by 57% during the 2025-26 school year. Sheila Bharat, a therapist at the Refugee and Immigrant Empowerment Center, noted an increase in anxiety and PTSD symptoms among clients who are recalling traumatic experiences from their pasts.
Alba Hernandez, a member of Faith in Action, illustrated the community’s struggles, explaining that families are reluctant to send their children to school due to a pervasive sense of fear, exacerbating existing challenges.
Opposition to Sanctuary City Policies
The Trump administration and many Republican leaders have historically criticized sanctuary cities, claiming they are too lenient on criminals. Before his passing, Senator Lindsey Graham proposed the Terminal Sanctuary Cities Act, a bill that would impose criminal penalties on state and local officials for non-compliance with immigration detention requests made by the Department of Homeland Security. Despite this, proponents in Oakland remain steadfast in their resolve.
Christopher Martinez, the executive director of the Spanish-Speaking Citizens Foundation, declared that their efforts are just beginning, urging the city to take further actions to reinforce protective measures for their communities.
Upcoming City Council Meeting
The Oakland City Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. to deliberate the proposed ordinance. This pivotal decision not only aims to protect the rights of immigrants but also seeks to strengthen the community’s overall trust in local governance and law enforcement.
