Marin Joins Fight Against Planned ICE Facility As Activists Push For Stronger Action Locally

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Marin County joined a growing effort Tuesday to block a proposed federal immigration detention facility, while dozens of residents urged county leaders to take additional steps by adopting an ICE-free ordinance.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors voted during a closed session Tuesday to authorize the county to join an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Santa Clara County that challenges a project for a new ICE detention facility in the Bay Area.

County officials said the proposed facility, planned for an unincorporated area of southern Santa Clara County near Gilroy, moved forward without required local review and permitting processes.

The county said the detention facility could have impacts throughout the Bay Area and Central Coast and argued local communities would be harmed if the detention center is built.

Research cited by Marin County found communities near Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities often see increased immigration arrests.

The county's move did not satisfy some immigrant-rights advocates, who argue Marin has lagged behind other Bay Area counties in limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Members of the No ICE in Marin campaign told supervisors Tuesday that the county should go beyond supporting litigation and adopt a formal ordinance restricting ICE access to county property, resources and personnel.

"The Marin County Board of Supervisors remains firmly committed to opposing unlawful removals, federal overreach, and actions that undermine due process, community trust, and the rule of law," said Board President Eric Lucan in a statement.

More than 50 supporters with the No ICE in Marin campaign attended Tuesday's meeting to urge supervisors to pass what they describe as an "ICE-Free Marin" ordinance. The coalition, led by the Marin County Democratic Socialists of America and several community groups, said Marin remains one of only two Bay Area counties without a local ordinance further restricting cooperation with immigration enforcement beyond state requirements.

"The unwillingness of our local elected officials to take concrete action to protect our community is inexcusable," said Curt Ries, co-chair of Marin DSA. "It is the board's responsibility to use every tool at its disposal to limit ICE's ability to terrorize our neighbors."

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Marin joining the litigation also comes amid growing resistance to the proposed facility across the Bay Area. Earlier this month, hundreds of demonstrators marched roughly 50 miles between Dublin and Gilroy to protest potential ICE detention facilities. Alameda County supervisors have also unanimously approved a resolution opposing a proposed ICE processing and detention center in Dublin.

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, whose district includes the proposed Gilroy site, also recently criticized the project and praised the lawsuit challenging it.

"Many local leaders have already denounced this proposed facility, and I applaud AG Bonta and Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti for their lawsuit to stop this illegal development," Lofgren said in a statement.

Lofgren said she recently introduced amendments in Congress aimed at blocking construction of the facility and increasing oversight of federal detention centers. She also joined several Bay Area members of Congress, including Reps. Jared Huffman, Sam Liccardo, Kevin Mullin and Jimmy Panetta, in a letter opposing the project.

Marin County officials said the legal challenge is part of a broader effort to support immigrant communities. Since 2025, supervisors have committed $1.5 million toward legal services, emergency assistance and rapid-response programs for immigrant families affected by detention and deportation proceedings.