Supervisors Approve ICE Restrictions After Residents Demand Stronger Action In Marin

SAN RAFAEL, CA — The Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement activities on county property last week, stopping short of the ICE-free ordinance sought by more than 100 residents who packed the board chamber and called for stronger protections.

The 5-0 vote on Oct. 20 established a county policy limiting the use of county property and resources for certain federal immigration enforcement activities, protecting confidential information and requiring county departments to report interactions with federal immigration officials.

The decision followed more than a year of organizing by the No ICE in Marin coalition, which has collected more than 10,000 petition signatures and repeatedly urged supervisors to adopt an ordinance restricting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Coalition members argued that a policy does not provide the same legal force as an ordinance. “A policy is a guideline. An ordinance is the law,” said Tammy Edmonson, a retired attorney and organizer with the Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity & Empowerment and No ICE in Marin.

County officials said the new policy uses the county’s existing legal authority to restrict access to nonpublic facilities and limit the use of county resources, while acknowledging that local governments generally cannot prevent federal officers from carrying out federal immigration enforcement in public places.

“We cannot take away all the fear families are carrying, but we can act on the authority we have,” said Supervisor Brian Colbert. He said the resolution establishes limits on the use of county property, staff and information for civil immigration enforcement.

The policy prohibits federal immigration agencies from using county-owned or controlled property as staging areas, processing locations or operational bases, except when required by law.

Federal officials seeking access to nonpublic county facilities must present a judicial warrant or other legally sufficient authority.

It also reinforces restrictions on sharing confidential county-held information for immigration enforcement. County employees must report enforcement activity on county property to the County Executive within 24 hours, while the Sheriff's Office and Probation Department must submit monthly reports to County Counsel on interactions with federal immigration officials.

Supervisor Mary Sackett said the county must be clear about what it can and cannot do.

“As a County, we must do everything within our legal authority to protect our residents and ensure they can access County services without fear,” Sackett said. “And, it would be cruel to overpromise protections to a community already living with fear and uncertainty.”

The debate over the policy follows earlier calls for stronger restrictions, including a push for an ICE-free ordinance and residents urging supervisors to end cooperation with ICE. Supervisors had also previously considered limits on federal immigration enforcement.

Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters said the policy was an immediate step the county could take, while Supervisor Dennis Rodoni said the board would continue listening to residents and considering further action.

During the meeting, Sheriff Jamie Scardina addressed the board about the proposed policy. Some attendees turned their backs as he spoke. Sonia Parecadan, co-chair of the Marin Democratic Socialists of America and a member of the No ICE in Marin coalition, criticized the sheriff's approach to federal immigration enforcement.

“The sheriff has told us to our faces that he will cooperate with ICE to the maximum extent permitted by law,” Parecadan said.

The county said it has allocated an additional $1 million in 2026 for immigration legal services, emergency assistance and the Marin Rapid Response Network, bringing its two-year investment to $1.5 million. The Public Defender's Office also added an immigration attorney.

Marin County is also a plaintiff in San Francisco v. Trump, a federal lawsuit challenging the administration's efforts to withhold or condition federal funding based on local limits on participation in federal civil immigration enforcement. In June, supervisors authorized the county to join a legal brief supporting a challenge to a proposed federal immigration detention facility near Gilroy.

The county's new policy will be reviewed as officials assess its effectiveness and consider whether additional measures are possible.

Information about immigration legal assistance and other resources is available through the county's Immigrant Rights & Resources webpage.