REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consider Adopting a Resolution Establishing a City Council Policy Prohibiting the Use of City Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Providing Immigration Resources for City Property Owners, Businesses and Residents
Report
BACKGROUND
Sunnyvale has long benefited from the contributions of immigrants and people from diverse backgrounds who have helped shape the City's cultural, economic, and civic life as residents, workers, students, and community leaders.
The City Council has unanimously adopted the Statement on Our City Values and Public Service (Statement), affirming Sunnyvale's commitment to serving its diverse community with respect, equity, and inclusivity. The Statement has served as a guiding framework for addressing equity, access, and inclusion within City policies and practices.
Recent federal immigration enforcement activities in the United States, carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have raised questions for local governments regarding community trust, use of local resources, and the role of cities in relation to federal civil immigration enforcement. Additionally, some Sunnyvale community members have expressed concerns about recent immigration enforcement activities across the country and reports of potential enforcement presence at public events and within communities.
At the March 10, 2026, Council meeting, members of the City Council reviewed a Colleagues Memorandum request from Vice Mayor Richard Mehlinger, Councilmember Linda Sell and Councilmember Eileen Le, and approved agendizing consideration of a policy similar to one recently adopted by the City of Santa Clara. The Santa Clara policy prohibits the use of city-owned property for federal civil immigration enforcement and directs staff to develop signage templates for property owners, businesses, and residents to identify non-public areas where civil immigration enforcement activities may be restricted and ...
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