Alameda Moves to Keep Immigration Enforcement Off City Property

Alameda is drafting rules to keep federal immigration agents from using city-owned parking lots, buildings and other property for civil immigration enforcement. The City Council voted unanimously, 5-0, on Oct. 6 to direct staff to write the policy.

What the council asked for

City Manager Gerry Beaudin presented three options, and the council chose all of them, the Alameda Post reported. Staff will bring back a resolution reaffirming the city's 2017 statement of inclusion for residents regardless of immigration status, a resolution prohibiting civil immigration enforcement on city-owned property and facilities, and a system for inventorying city property and documenting and reporting any requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The council also asked staff to study zoning limits on city-controlled land at Alameda Point.

The item began as a referral from Councilmember Tony Daysog in March, according to city records. Beaudin's report surveyed nearby governments: Alameda County has declared "ICE-free zones" on county property, Oakland bars use of city property to stage enforcement, Berkeley limits city property to city purposes, and Union City reaffirmed a compassionate city policy instead of passing an ordinance.

Limits of a local rule

Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft backed the proposal but warned its reach would be modest because much of Alameda is federal land, including Coast Guard Island and parts of Alameda Point, which agents can use without city permission. "Symbolism is important," she said, according to the Post. Councilmember Greg Boller similarly cautioned residents that a sign alone would not guarantee outcomes.

Beaudin said contacts with federal officers would be "conversational, not adversarial," with local officers explaining city policy rather than intervening. Under existing policy, Alameda police already do not use department resources to support civil immigration enforcement, according to the staff report summarized by the Post.

Also on the agenda

The council reviewed results of Rise Up Alameda, a pilot that gave 150 low-income households $1,000 a month for two years. After 24 months, 35% of participants reported having $500 in savings, compared with 12% of a control group, the Post reported. The council also advanced a 37-month Alameda Point lease for aerospace startup Longshot Space Technologies.