On Tuesday, the Richmond City Council agreed to direct staff to create an ICE-Free Zone ordinance.
With a 6-0-1 vote, Councilmember Brown abstaining, the city manager and attorney will return at the March 3 meeting regarding the City’s ongoing and planned efforts related to federal civil immigration enforcement actions, including ICE raids, and to return within 45 days with a proposed ICE-Free Zone Ordinance: The proposed ordinance shall restrict the use of City-owned or City-controlled property, facilities, personnel, and resources for federal civil immigration enforcement; establish non-cooperation and resource-denial policies consistent with applicable law; and require the development of a coordinated implementation strategy, including interdepartmental protocols, staff training, and a community-facing preparedness and communications plan.
The item was brought forward by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson who say this action is intended to promote public trust, and ensure that residents receive timely, accurate information during emergency or enforcement-related events
After public comments, Mayor Eduardo Martinez said he believed the council was in unison with the item, however, before a motion was made, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, who supports the item, expressed some concerns over “the grouping of items” within the ordinance. She said the item predefines more than 13-specific components across policy areas to be included in the draft.
According to Interim City Attorney Shannon Moore, on March 3, they will present on current protocols in place — discussing clear direction on what is in place with the Sanctuary City Ordinance and the expansion efforts. She admitted they needed to evaluate it more and how it would interact with current policies, then 45-days after come back with an ordinance.
“Its concerning that it is bundled up like that because I believe some of the components need to be evaluated on its own merits and I want to ensure I am not feeling the pressure of the national climate to vote on something that is going to be included into one ordinance without us discussing it,” stated Brown. “I don’t oppose ICE-Free Zones, so lets be clear, but I am concerned labeling city property as ICE-Free zones could unintentionally create fear, confusion and false expectations if residents believe ICE cannot enter into these spaces, where they legally can. So I want to understand what we can legally do versus selling to the community that is not even true.”
She also expressed concerns on the mas text alerts, citywide alerts, it could be interpreted differently of what they mean—she wanted to ensure they were not overpromising protections they could not guarantee noting her priority is resident safety.
“I am supportive of the intent of this item, but the scope seems so broad I just want to make sure that we are being able to discuss each component that is being put into this ordinance,” said Brown. “The climate is very high right now and people are saying this and saying that and the induced fear around this is so crazy but Richmond is so progressive, that within a year we increased our Sanctuary City ordinance to align with state laws also allocating $1 million that went to education, legal services, workshops and so forth we still haven’t gotten a analysis of what the distribution of that looked like, is there still money left.. I just don’t want to jump to the worst conclusion because of community pressures over something I feel that is really contained in our city right now.”
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez interjected saying this was about creating a plan within 45-days.
“We want to have a plan that the city can lay out in case many other militias, because there are militias, they are people who have not been trained killing our community, come to our city. What is the response that we are going to have?” stated Jimenez.
She also questioned communication and protocols, but wanted to fill the holes incase what is occurring in other parts of the country begin to happen in Richmond.
“Its happening in other cities. People are being murdered by militias and we need to be prepared,” said Jimenez noting they needed protocols.
Brown attempted to respond, but Mayor Martinez shut her down and called for the question… it he was denied in a 3-4 vote. Debate continued.
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda called it an important topic to have a conversation around.
“Hearing some of the speakers, I am hoping in the ordinance that gets brought forward and what alameda County passed, if we could write something in there requiring the law enforcement officers to identifying themselves upon entry,” stated Zepeda noting some might enter if they have a warrant. “Should they enter, we want to make sure they identify themselves properly and also if we can codify that they are not allowed to wear masks if they are going to enter any of our city properties.’
He also hoped they could work towards establishing a Bay Area Response Plan to connect with other local governments that also have the ICE-Free zones – such as the City of Pinole.
Vice-Mayor Doria Robinson said she believe they were, “living in a time we have not seen before, that what is happening in our country is extreme” noting that one of the budget items discussed in funding was whether ICE could deport US Citizens—some took it out, others put it back in.
“I the idea was that Trump would like to take our thugs and criminals, lets guess who those are, and deport them to whatever country he would like,” stated Robinson. “I think this is something that we need to rise to the occasion and be prepared. I am not prepared to say that people will be kind, rational or sane or abide by the law because they have not thus far and it just gets worse everyday. I think it is our duty to do whatever we can within the law to prepare and protect our residents.”
The council agreed in a 6-0-1 vote to direct staff to work on an ICE-Free zone ordinance which will return at a future meeting with Brown abstaining.
Previous
- Feb 2, 2026 – Richmond Looks to Establish ‘Ice-Free Zones’ and Alert System
- Dec 30, 2025 – Pinole Adopts Ordinance Restricting Use of City Property for ICE Activities
More Background from Richmond City Council Staff Report
ICE Free Zone Ordinance
The proposed ordinance would prohibit City-owned or City-controlled property from being used for federal civil immigration enforcement purposes. City departments would be directed to identify all applicable properties, install signage stating that such property may not be used for immigration enforcement, and implement access controls where feasible. Any attempted use of City property for immigration enforcement would be immediately reported to the City Manager, Mayor’s Office, and City Attorney.
Per the ordinance, consistent with existing law, the ordinance would clarify that City employees and resources may not be used to assist federal civil immigration enforcement beyond what is legally required. This includes refusing deputization, denying logistical support, and limiting cooperation with National Guard units unless explicitly authorized by law
Community Preparedness and Emergency Planning
Given Richmond’s limited hospital capacity, the City would explore readiness of libraries, recreation centers, and community centers to serve as emergency shelters or clinics during protests, natural disasters, pandemics, or other emergencies. City staff would also pursue coordination with healthcare providers, labor unions, and volunteer networks to build emergency medical capacity.
Neighborhood-based preparedness strategies would be emphasized, including block-by-block planning, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) participation, and distribution of preparedness packets with emergency contacts, immigrant defense resources, unhoused services, food distribution, rental assistance, and Red Cross information.
Communications and Public Information
The ordinance would direct the City to establish clear communications protocols, including rapid public notifications in the event of ICE activity or National Guard presence within Richmond. This may include investment in a city-wide text alert system, multilingual materials, press releases, coordination with local media, and outreach through faith-based organizations, schools, and businesses.
If approved, it would direct the city manager and city attorney to report to the City Council on March 3, 2026, regarding the City’s ongoing and planned efforts related to federal civil immigration enforcement actions, including ICE raids, and to return within 45 days with a proposed ICE-Free Zone Ordinance: The proposed ordinance shall restrict the use of City-owned or City-controlled property, facilities, personnel, and resources for federal civil immigration enforcement; establish non-cooperation and resource-denial policies consistent with applicable law; and require the development of a coordinated implementation strategy, including interdepartmental protocols, staff training, and a community-facing preparedness and communications plan .