ICE detained at least four people on Marin County property in the week after supervisors passed limits, advocates say

At least four people have been detained by immigration agents on Marin County property since supervisors approved a policy limiting ICE use of county property on Oct. 20, according to the Marin Rapid Response Network, KALW reports.

What the network reported

Network volunteer Patty Hoyt told KALW that ICE detained someone outside the county jail on Oct. 20, the day the policy passed, and that on Oct. 21 agents detained someone inside the Civic Center. "They walked into the county building," she said, adding that the agents parked in a red zone and in spots reserved for Marin law enforcement. Two more people were picked up on Oct. 23. The network says 51 people have been taken into ICE custody in Marin this year, most from the county jail.

What the policy does and doesn't do

The Pacific Sun reports the policy bars ICE from setting up in county parking lots, vacant lots and garages, and county workers can't let agents into offices and other non-public areas without a judge's warrant. Employees who see immigration agents must notify County Executive Derek Johnson's office within 24 hours. Public areas, including the jail lobby on the Civic Center campus, are not covered. Activists say the gap matters most for Sheriff Jamie Scardina, who currently cooperates with ICE and lets agents into the jail building. Between March and September, agents detained 13 people in the jail lobby or just outside the building, according to the network.

The debate

The No ICE in Marin coalition wants an ordinance that would prohibit immigration enforcement actions on all county property without a judge's order. The Pacific Sun reports San Mateo and Sonoma counties have passed ordinances limiting immigration enforcement on county property, and KALW reports San Francisco bans federal immigration enforcement from all county property. "You can ban certain activities; you can't ban access," coalition leader Curt Ries told the Pacific Sun. County officials told supervisors that local government can't "prevent lawful arrests," the Pacific Sun reports. "It would be cruel to overpromise protections to a community already living with fear and uncertainty," Supervisor Mary Sackett said. An ICE spokesperson told KALW the agency "will not abide by unconstitutional policies and ordinances." The coalition plans to return to the board on Nov. 10.