Isla Vista CSD adopts resolution condemning ICE raids, requires judicial warrant for facility entry and funds immigrant legal support

The Isla Vista Community Services District board on Aug. 12 voted to condemn recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations on the Central Coast, adopt a policy that requires a judicial warrant before ICE may access non‑public areas of district facilities, and provide one‑time emergency funding to community legal services.

The 3–0 roll call vote with one abstention followed staff testimony about an uptick in enforcement activity in Santa Barbara County. Staff described a pattern of 111 immigration‑related arrests since mid‑January and said local residents have reported masked agents, unmarked vehicles, and actions that have “created a climate of fear in our community.” The resolution directs district staff to implement a judicial‑warrant policy (Exhibit A), authorizes the general manager to take steps to implement it, and explicitly condemns aggressive enforcement tactics.

The board also took a position of support for four state bills noted in the resolution — SB 627, SB 580, SB 805 and SB 98 — which staff said aim to require officer identification, produce model policies for state and local agencies, and establish campus notification procedures when immigration enforcement is confirmed on campus. During discussion, Director Deschler, who represents the university, said campus regental policy prevents taking positions of support on state legislation and said she would abstain from that portion of the vote; the board clarified the legislative clause could be separated if needed so funding and the facility policy could proceed.

Public commenters urged action. Anastasia, speaking for Planned Parenthood California Central Coast Action Fund, said the raids have hampered medical access and urged the board to “allocate those funds to immigrant communities and the organizations that provide the essential resources.” EJ, incoming EVPLA for UCSB Associated Students, offered student‑government assistance on signage and outreach and described plans to compile anonymous resources for immigrant students.

District counsel Jamie advised the board that making grants to outside organizations is permissible if the board adopts a public‑purpose finding tying the expenditure to district benefits; staff amended the resolution to include that finding. The resolution allocates $10,000 in one‑time emergency grants to be split evenly between 805 UndocuFund and the Immigrant Legal Defense Center to support legal assistance and public notification of ICE activity in Isla Vista.

The board adopted the resolution by roll‑call: Director Brent — Yes; Director Carmichael — Yes; Director Cipos — Yes; Director Dashlin — Abstain. The district will now implement the judicial‑warrant policy and coordinate outreach and grant distribution with community partners.

What’s next: staff are authorized to implement the facility policy and distribute the emergency grants; the board also requested staff follow up on communications and training needs for staff if ICE presence occurs at district sites.