ICE-free zones' under consideration in the East Bay

"ICE-free zones, a policy enacted in Chicago and the South Bay that bans federal immigration agents from using county or city property during deportation operations, could be coming to the East Bay. Jurisdictions across the region have declared themselves sanctuary or welcoming cities committed to protecting immigrant populations by banning collaboration with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Berkeley and Alameda County officials are now considering implementing enforcement-free zones as another way to further protect the community."

"Just days before that vote, East Bay communities had learned the Trump administration planned to deploy about 100 ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents to Coast Guard Island in Alameda for an immigration-enforcement campaign. Protests against the operation were held across the region, including just outside the entrance to Coast Guard Island where federal agents fired a chemical agent toward a protester from just feet away, and security personnel later opened fire on a U-Haul truck that had backed up toward a barrier on the island's bridge, injuring the driver and an apparent bystander. President Donald Trump reportedly called off the surge operation after a phone conversation with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, but skeptical East Bay leaders have remained cautious, taking the initial threat as a warning sign to be prepared for future actions."

"If it's harder to stage in the city, it's harder to come and be organized. Anything we can do to make our residents feel safer, I think that's what we're focused on, helping our residents to feel safer and to be safer, Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii said."

Local leaders in the East Bay are considering ICE-free zones that would ban federal immigration agents from using city- or county-owned property during deportation operations. Multiple East Bay jurisdictions already identify as sanctuary or welcoming cities that restrict collaboration with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Berkeley councilmembers directed the city manager to inventory city-owned sites and pursue a policy limiting their use to city purposes. A planned deployment of roughly 100 ICE and CBP agents to Coast Guard Island prompted regional protests, confrontations with federal agents, and heightened local caution, motivating officials to pursue measures aimed at increasing resident safety.

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