Alameda County staff detail rollout of ICE-free zones and immigrant response plan; public commenters press for services and ask questions about jail reporting

Alameda County officials gave an update during a March meeting of the Together for All ad hoc committee on steps to implement two actions the Board adopted Jan. 27: a countywide immigration enforcement response plan and a policy establishing ICE-free zones on county-owned or -controlled property.

Chief Deputy County Administrator Lori Cox told the committee that the General Services Agency has identified 105 locations for signage and that the draft signs, which include braille, are estimated at about $500 each, including posts. "GSA has identified a 105 locations," Cox said. She said signage, physical barriers, standardized reporting procedures and instructions that federal officers identify themselves are required under the January resolution.

The county is preparing internal and external communications protocols and training for staff and contracted security guards, Cox said. Draft protocols are under review by labor and county counsel; the county plans to coordinate communications so departments issue a consistent message and to provide Know Your Rights materials and red cards at client-facing locations.

Cox also described planning for an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs: a third-party countywide assessment funded by philanthropic partners ("a little more than $100,000," Cox said) is expected to return to the committee in late April, and Social Services Agency staff are filling interim positions with $450,000 budgeted for hiring. Cox said previously approved contracts funded by Measure W that support legal services, rapid-response hotlines and community organizing (about $5.7 million total) are expected to be brought forward for continuation.

Vice Chair Supervisor Marquez thanked staff for the update and asked for more detail on two near-term items: timing for the interim hires and prioritization of signage. "I will ask if we could please have an update on the hiring process for the 2 interim positions through social services for the Office of Immigrant Refugee Affairs," Marquez said. Marquez pressed staff to prioritize signage at high-volume, public-facing offices (for example, benefit enrollment sites).

Cox said signage will be installed in phases according to staff capacity and other work priorities. She also said the county is coordinating with regional partners, including Santa Clara County, and expects an update from philanthropic partners about the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs framework by the end of April.

Public comment included a mix of criticism and support. Christopher Martinez of the Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation said his organization "strongly support[s] the efforts to restrict the use of county properties for immigration enforcement activity" and urged the county to ensure clear protocols, sustained funding and supports such as eviction prevention and rent assistance for impacted families. Silaja Suresh of the Alameda County Office of Education said the county office passed a similar policy Feb. 10 limiting use of its property for federal civil immigration enforcement and described a supplies-for-safe-pathways program now serving more than 70 schools.

Other public commenters raised concerns that the county should address. Bob Britton of the Interfaith Coalition for Justice in Our Jails asked the board to end the SCAP program and highlighted a contractor relationship (DBI/JBI) tied to jail reporting; he said the sheriff has reported data that could be shared with federal authorities and recommended removing $1,270,000 in related budgeted funding. Chair Fortuna Bass responded that the sheriff told the board the SCAP grant application is prepared by a third-party contractor and that the sheriff is not seeking board approval for a contract extension, which would end participation with that contractor.

A caller identifying herself as Kathy described video of federal agents removing an Oakland truck driver and asked what steps county supervisors would take to reunite the person with family. Chair Fortuna Bass said she was aware of the case and that she would follow up with the Port of Oakland and other relevant agencies to seek information.

The committee did not take a formal vote during the meeting; the item was presented as informational with staff directed to continue implementation planning and return with updates. The committee is scheduled to hear a consultant update on April 30 and the Social Services Agency expects to bring an MOU to the full board on March 17 for work related to the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.