San Francisco Establishes 'ICE Free Zones'
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has passed a law establishing "ICE Free Zones," which prohibits federal immigration enforcement activities on city-owned property. The legislation is intended to ensure all residents can access city services, such as health clinics and schools, without fear of immigration operations.
- The ordinance was co-authored by Supervisors Bilal Mahmood and Chyanne Chen and received unanimous approval from the Board of Supervisors. - This new law builds upon San Francisco's long-standing "City of Refuge" ordinance, first passed in 1989, which prohibits city employees from using city funds or resources to assist federal immigration enforcement unless required by law. - The legislation grants the City Attorney the authority to take legal action against any entity that engages in unauthorized use of city property for immigration enforcement. - This move follows similar "ICE-Free Zone" ordinances passed in other Bay Area jurisdictions, including Richmond, San Jose, Oakland, and the counties of Santa Clara and Alameda. - San Francisco's sanctuary policies have faced legal challenges from the federal government in the past, particularly during the Trump administration, which sought to withhold federal funding from sanctuary jurisdictions. - In 2013, the city passed the "Due Process for All" Ordinance, which limits law enforcement's cooperation with ICE detainer requests and advance notices of an individual's release from jail. - Research from the Urban Institute has shown that heightened immigration enforcement can lead to decreased participation in public activities and services among immigrant families. - The ordinance clarifies that assisting with federal immigration law enforcement is not a permissible use of city property, aiming to prevent the disruption of city operations and services.
