Marin County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on new or expanded detention centers, the Press Democrat reported. The move did not satisfy residents who have been pressing the board for months to adopt a legally binding "ICE-free Marin" ordinance.
The urgency ordinance imposes a temporary moratorium on the siting, construction, conversion or operation of new or expanded detention centers. It also prohibits "onshore detention support facilities" that work in tandem with floating vessels. It applies to unincorporated Marin County, not to municipalities, and will remain in effect for 45 days initially, though it could be extended for up to two years, the newspaper reported. The moratorium closely resembles a model ordinance circulated by U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo of San Jose in September.
The Marin Rapid Response Network said ICE has detained 60 Marin residents this year, including two this month, compared with 17 last year. Activists rallied at the Civic Center on Tuesday before going into the chambers, as previously reported. Larkspur resident James Holmes, speaking in public comment, called the proposal "performative and totally unneeded," saying there is no evidence detention centers are planned in Marin, the Press Democrat reported.