‘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.

“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