Title
Adoption of Resolution Establishing that the City Will Not Make the Use of City-Owned Properties and Facilities Available for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Reaffirming Resolution No. 15225 Affirming the City of Alameda’s Commitment, as a Sanctuary City, to the Values of Dignity, Inclusivity, and Respect for All Individuals, Regardless of Ethnic or National Origin, Gender, Race, Religious Affiliation, Sexual Orientation, or Immigration Status. (City Manager 10021030)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report is being presented in response to the following direction provided by City Council at their October 6, 2026 meeting:
1. Bring forward a motion to reaffirm the City of Alameda's (City) 2017 Sanctuary City Resolution.
2. Bring forward a resolution to:
a. prohibit the use of City-owned properties and facilities for federal civil immigration enforcement purposes, and
b. require mandatory documentation and reporting of any such use requests.
3. Create an inventory of City-owned property.
4. Explore the potential for zoning changes at Alameda Point in support of this prohibition.
This report addresses points 1 through 3 above. Item 4 will take place in 2027 in concert with other planned zoning changes at Alameda Point.
BACKGROUND
January 2017 Resolution
On January 17, 2017, City Council adopted the Sanctuary City resolution, which has served as a guiding framework for addressing equity, access, and inclusion within City policies and practices. The City’s unofficial motto is Everyone Belongs Here.
April 2026 Referral
On April 7, 2026, City Council directed staff to review what other cities in Alameda County were doing to preclude the use of properties owned by those cities for immigration detainment and to bring to City Council an analysis and potential recommendations for a policy concerning City-owned properties, including what enforcement of a policy would entail.
October 2026 Direction
On October 6, 2026, City Council received a staff report regarding the April 2026 referral, as detailed in the Executive Summary above. City Council’s direction was informed by research on policies, ordinances, and resolutions enacted by Alameda County and cities that limited or prohibited the use of County or City-owned properties for civil immigration enforcement. More information can be found in the October 6, 2026 staff report (City of Alameda - File #: 2026-6222 <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8238210&GUID=7D2A973E-B151-4505-938C-6FC36AD0C0BE&FullText=1>).
DISCUSSION
In response to City Council’s direction at the October 6, 2026 meeting, staff is recommending the following:
• Adopt a resolution to prohibit the use of City-owned properties and facilities for civil immigration enforcement purposes.
• Reaffirm City of Alameda Resolution 15225 Affirming the City’s commitment, as a sanctuary city, to the values of dignity, inclusivity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of ethnic or national origin, gender, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or immigration status (Sanctuary City Resolution).
Also, at the direction of City Council, staff developed an inventory of all City-owned property that has the potential to be used as a staging area, operations base, or processing location for the purpose of civil immigration enforcement.
Staff continues to research other potential efforts, including zoning changes, to limit federal civil immigration enforcement activities in Alameda.
ALTERNATIVES
• Either only adopt a resolution to prohibit the use of City-owned properties and facilities for civil immigration enforcement purposes or only reaffirm the Sanctuary City Resolution.
• Do not reaffirm the Sanctuary City Resolution or adopt a resolution to prohibit the use of City-owned properties and facilities for civil immigration enforcement purposes.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from prohibiting the use of City-owned properties and facilities for civil immigration enforcement purposes, or from reaffirming the Sanctuary City Resolution.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action supports the City Strategic Plan, Project CS40, to expand existing resources and outreach regarding immigration rights, under the priority of Enhance Community Safety and Services.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, and therefore, no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to establish that the City will not make the use of City-owned properties and facilities available for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and reaffirm City of Alameda Resolution No. 15225 affirming the City of Alameda’s commitment, as a Sanctuary City, to the values of dignity, inclusivity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of ethnic or national origin, gender, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or immigration status.
Respectfully submitted,
Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
By,
Amanda Gehrke, Special Projects Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director