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Residents press Marin supervisors to end SCAP cooperation with ICE as county details immigrant-support funding
Summary
Dozens of public commenters urged Marin County to permanently withdraw from SCAP and stop cooperating with ICE; staff outlined $500,000 already allocated for immigrant services, a Rapid Response Network, emergency assistance, and a recommended additional $500,000 next fiscal cycle.
A sustained wave of public comment at the Marin County Board of Supervisors' budget workshop centered on SCAP (the Sheriff’s cooperative program with federal agencies) and local cooperation with ICE. Multiple residents, advocacy groups and service providers urged the Board to make a public, permanent commitment to withdraw from SCAP, stop any future SCAP grant applications, and adopt a budget that excludes SCAP funding.
Speakers said cooperation with federal immigration enforcement has harmed trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement and increases fear, trauma and service disruptions. Sonia Fore of Indivisible Marin and other commentators cited specific concerns (public release of booking logs, the risk of name-sharing with ICE, and local harms following federal enforcement) and called for county policies and sheriff assurances to prevent further cooperation.
County staff and community-service presenters described concrete budget actions and services the county has funded. Jamila Jordan, director of the Office of Equity, reviewed last year’s $500,000 allocation for immigrant legal services, direct support and the Marin Rapid Response Network and reported early utilization: a recently launched emergency assistance fund (January 2026) has served over 30 people with immediate rent and legal supports, and partnerships with Marin County Office of Education and Immigrant Legal Defense were selected to provide school‑based legal screenings and representation. Jamila said the Marin Community Foundation has matched the county’s Rapid Response Network funding and Community Action Marin and other partners have leveraged additional philanthropy.
Staff recommended the board set aside an additional $500,000 in the next fiscal cycle (FY 26–28) to expand emergency assistance, legal services and rapid response capacity. Public Defender David Sutton described the county’s added immigration-attorney capacity (a fixed-term position) and litigation coordination to support habeas petitions and temporary restraining orders when detention or enforcement occurs.
Supervisors asked for regular updates on pilot program utilization, matching funds and plans to avoid funding gaps as demand evolves. No formal budget vote occurred at the workshop; staff said these recommendations will be considered in the proposed budget and that program funding will be monitored monthly.
