Alameda County Orders ICE to Stop Using Santa Rita Jail Property
Alameda County’s interim counsel, Andrea Weddle, directed a cease-and-desist letter to the acting head of ICE’s San Francisco office on November 9. She demanded that agents stop using county property, including Santa Rita Jail, as a site to prepare for or support civil immigration enforcement, and warned that the county could take legal action if they continue.
The letter followed reports of incidents at the jail. On November 1, ICE agents pursued someone from the parking lot into the lobby and detained them, the county said. On November 8, two agents were involved in an altercation with members of the public in the lobby. County officials said activity there had created safety risks and could disrupt jail operations.
Alameda County adopted a law in January barring county-owned or controlled property from being used as a staging area, processing site or operations base for civil immigration enforcement. Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas said agents had been seen in the jail parking lot and that some parked in red zones, creating hazards. She said the county would defend residents and protect access to county services.
ICE and the Department of Homeland Security had not responded to the county’s demands. Public Defender Brendon Woods said the activity could put residents at risk and undermine the justice system. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and school Superintendent Dennise Saddler also said the recent increase in enforcement had unsettled the city, and urged residents to report activity to an immigrant-support organization.
County Pushes Back Against ICE Activity at Santa Rita Jail
Alameda County is invoking its law restricting immigration enforcement on county property to challenge ICE activity around Santa Rita Jail. In a November 9 cease-and-desist letter, interim counsel Andrea Weddle ordered agents to stop using the Dublin facility and other county property as an operational base, warning that continued use could bring legal action.
The county cited a November 1 pursuit that ended with a detention in the jail lobby, and a November 8 physical altercation involving two ICE agents and members of the public. Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas also said agents had used the lot near the jail to prepare for operations and parked in red zones. County officials say the conduct threatens safety and the orderly operation of the facility.
The county’s January law bars county land and buildings from serving as staging, processing or operations sites for civil immigration enforcement. Bas said the county would not accept residents being targeted or public resources being misused. Public Defender Brendon Woods said enforcement near public buildings can endanger residents and affect the justice system.
ICE and the Department of Homeland Security had not responded to the county’s demands. Oakland’s mayor and school superintendent said the increase in enforcement had put the city on edge and encouraged residents to report activity to an immigrant-support group.
Alameda County Escalates Its Fight With Federal Immigration Agents
Alameda County has escalated its conflict with federal immigration authorities, ordering ICE to stop using Santa Rita Jail property as a location to prepare for enforcement. In a November 9 letter, interim counsel Andrea Weddle threatened legal action if agents continue to use county property for civil immigration operations.
The county points to a November 1 detention after agents pursued someone into the jail lobby and a November 8 altercation involving agents and members of the public. Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas also said ICE agents had been seen in the parking lot, including in red zones. The county says the activity creates safety risks.
The demand rests on a county law adopted in January that bars county-owned or controlled property from being used as a staging, processing or operations site for civil immigration enforcement. The county is using that local restriction to press federal agents to leave its property, while warning that it may sue if they do not comply.
ICE and the Department of Homeland Security had not responded to the demand. Public Defender Brendon Woods said the activity could affect the justice system, while Oakland’s mayor and school superintendent said enforcement had unsettled the city. Residents were encouraged to report activity to an immigrant-support organization.
Reported by KTVU FOX 2, The Oaklandside.
