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Lakewood council unanimously adopts resolution limiting city assistance to ICE, adds restriction on use of city property
Summary
Lakewood City Council voted 10-0 to adopt Resolution IR202649 directing staff to limit the city's cooperation with civil immigration enforcement and to avoid encouraging or supporting use of city-owned property for ICE staging or processing except when required by law; staff will report back at the next regular meeting.
Lakewood’s City Council adopted a resolution on June 8 directing city staff to reduce the city’s role in civil immigration enforcement and to develop procedures and training aimed at protecting immigrant residents.
The action, adopted unanimously 10-0, included a council amendment that says the city shall not encourage or support the use of city-owned or city-controlled property "for use as a staging area, processing location, or operations base for civil immigration enforcement activities, except as otherwise required by state or federal law, judicial warrant, court order, or contractual obligation." Councilor I. Cruz made the amendment and asked staff to return with an implementation update at the next regular meeting.
Why it matters: Residents, advocates and council members said the resolution responds to recent ICE activity and community fears that local police collaborated with federal agents. Dozens of residents told the council they want enforceable protections rather than outreach-only measures.
What the council said: Councilor I. Cruz, who led the item, said the resolution was a step toward protecting residents and building trust. "No child should be taken from their school, no family should be torn apart," Cruz said during discussion. Commander Ellis of Lakewood Police Department told the council the department's priority is victim safety and that the goal is to make everyone feel comfortable reporting crimes: "When we wear this badge, we wear this badge to protect our community, not the interests of one part of the government."
Public voices: During public comment residents described incidents they said raised alarm. Debbie Jones said the "appearance" of collaboration between ICE and Lakewood PD was harmful and demanded investigations into conduct she witnessed; Robyn McKinnon said ICE agents "assaulted your constituents" at a recent event and urged the council to adopt a stronger stance. Alexi Fernandez told the council, "Leadership is measured by what you do when people are afraid," urging that the resolution go beyond symbolic language.
What the resolution requires and next steps: The adopted language tasks city staff, the city attorney’s office and Lakewood Police Department with preparing a preparedness plan, training for city employees, and public reporting mechanisms. Councilors indicated the city attorney's office will support internal training and that staff will post incident information as quickly as feasible while also producing formal reports. The council requested an update at its next regular meeting on the timeline and implementation steps.
Legal limits noted: Several council members and legal staff said there are limits on what a city can do when federal agents are operating in public places; the amendment was crafted in consultation with legal counsel to push city authority "as far as possible" while recognizing judicial warrants, court orders and contractual obligations may require cooperation.
Outcome: Resolution IR202649, as amended, passed 10-0. The council directed staff to return with an update at the next regular meeting and to proceed with draft training and reporting materials.
