Alameda County demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stop unauthorized civil immigration enforcement at Santa Rita Jail and other county property in a letter dated Monday, Nov. 9. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office also reaffirmed its zero-contact policy governing interactions with immigration officials.
Interim County Counsel Andrea L. Weddle wrote that ICE personnel repeatedly ignored instructions to leave jail property. Her letter described an agent chasing a man into the lobby and forcibly detaining him Sunday, Nov. 1, and two agents engaging in a physical confrontation with members of the public Sunday, Nov. 8.
The county demanded that ICE stop using jail facilities as enforcement staging areas, processing locations or operations bases. It also demanded that ICE notify its personnel of the restrictions and preserve records, video and other evidence concerning activity at the jail.
The Board of Supervisors adopted the property restrictions Thursday, Jan. 29, with exceptions protecting lawful judicial warrants and criminal law enforcement. The policy also provides free signs to property owners and leaseholders who voluntarily request them to designate nonpublic areas.
The sheriff's General Order 1.24, revised Wednesday, Oct. 21, establishes zero contact with immigration officials except when a criminal warrant is signed by a judge. It bars stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, participation in immigration sweeps and acceptance of administrative immigration warrants for access to restricted areas.
"We will uphold the law, protect the constitutional rights of our community members, and serve with professionalism, integrity, and accountability. Regardless of the challenges before us, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office will remain a dependable public safety resource for everyone," Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez said in a release dated Saturday, Nov. 7.
The Sheriff's Office is consulting county counsel and reviewing other California sheriffs' approaches to immigration enforcement around jail facilities. That review includes maintaining access for families, legal counsel and other visitors.
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