Mountain View council authorizes joining amicus brief to oppose proposed ICE detention facility

The Mountain View City Council voted June 23 to authorize the city to join an amicus brief backing legal efforts to stop construction of a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility near Gilroy.

City Attorney Jennifer Log reported that, in closed session, council authorized joining the brief; the report stated the council vote was recorded as five yeses, zero noes and two abstentions by Vice Mayor Clark and Council Member Mallister. Council took the step after residents urged action during public comment.

Residents asked for prompt action. "I am speaking today to urge you to join the amicus brief with local jurisdictions throughout the Bay Area and Central Coast to support and strengthen the lawsuit... They plan to file by the end of June, so you must act promptly," said Monica Tyisher, who identified herself as a Mountain View resident of 27 years.

Another speaker, Brandon, told the council he had witnessed federal immigration enforcement practices that he said harmed families and urged the city to add its voice to the brief: "I'm glad that you passed the resolution recently to not help ICE with staging and now I'm asking you to do more."

The council's action aligns Mountain View with other local governments in the region that have signaled opposition to siting the proposed facility. Staff did not provide the court filing text at the meeting; the amicus brief is being coordinated regionally and was described to be filed by late June.

Next steps: staff will follow up on the brief's filing and report back to council on any related court schedule or further regional actions.