title
CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Adoption of a Resolution Restricting the Use of City-Owned or City-Controlled Property for Federal Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities; and (2) Authorization to the City Manager to Implement the Resolution As Necessary.
body
Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Monica Kilaita/City Attorney’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-5660
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (02/19/2026)
Department Approval: Heather Baker, City Attorney (02/13/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a Resolution restricting the use of City-owned or City-controlled property for federal civil immigration enforcement activities, and (2) authorize the City Manager to implement the Resolution as necessary.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
At the City Council meeting of January 12, 2026, Mayor Puza received consensus to agendize a discussion of establishing “ICE-Free Zones” and building upon the City’s existing sanctuary city policies by restricting federal civil immigration enforcement agencies from using City-owned or controlled land and facilities for civil immigration enforcement.
At its meeting of January 26, 2026, the City Council unanimously directed the City Attorney’s Office to return with a draft resolution to restrict the use of City-owned or City-controlled property for federal civil immigration enforcement activities, and to base the provisions of such resolution on the City of Pinole’s Ordinance restricting the use of its properties for similar activities.
Culver City Sanctuary City Policy
On March 27, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution 2017-R025, declaring Culver City to be a Sanctuary City for all its residents regardless of immigration status (Attachment 1). The Resolution specifies as follows:
• City officials will require a judicial warrant before detaining an individual or prolonging a detention in any manner at the request of federal immigration authorities.
• City officials will require a judicial warrant before arresting, detaining or transporting an individual solely on the basis of an immigration detainer or other administrative document.
• Unless pursuant to a court order or a legitimate law enforcement purpose unrelated to civil immigration law, City officials will not permit federal immigration authorities access to City facilities or to any person in City custody, subject to the California Truth Act.
• City officials will require federal immigration authorities to wear jackets and badges when given access to City facilities, so that they are clearly identified as federal agents.
• City officials will not inquire into the immigration status of any individual, unless there is a legitimate law enforcement purpose unrelated to civil immigration law, or where required by law to verify eligibility for a benefit or service.
• City officials will not voluntarily release personally identifiable information to federal immigration authorities, or information that may be used to ascertain an individual's race, religion or ethnicity, unless for a law enforcement purpose unrelated to the enforcement of civil immigration law.
• City officials will not engage in surveillance of any person or group based solely on their actual or perceived religion, ethnicity, race or immigration status.
• Any person who alleges a violation of the above policies may file a written complaint with the City.
• City officials will not detain, interrogate, or arrest an individual based on their perceived race, national origin, religion, language, or immigration status.
The Resolution also states:
• No City agency, department, officer, employee, or agent shall use City funds, resources, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law, unless such assistance is required by any valid and enforceable federal or state law or is contractually obligated. This prohibition shall include, but not be limited to, assisting with or participating in any immigration enforcement operation or joint operation or patrol that involves, in whole or in part, the enforcement of federal immigration law, except for purposes of protecting the public safety.
• No City agency, department, officer, employee, or agent shall use City funds, resources, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to assist any federal program requiring the registration of individuals on the basis of race, religion, or ethnicity, including those persons of the Muslim faith or those perceived to be of the Muslim faith, and/or of Middle Eastern descent.
Finally, the Resolution states that the City shall continue to follow its policies to prevent bias-based policing and law enforcement personnel will continue to exercise discretion to favor citing and releasing individuals in lieu of arrest or continued detention, where consistent with protecting public safety.
Proposed Resolution
Pursuant to the City Council’s direction, the City Attorney’s Office has prepared a Resolution (Attachment 2) with key provisions as follows:
• No department, employee, official, contractor, or agent of the City shall knowingly permit City-owned or City-controlled property to be used for staging civil immigration enforcement operations; processing, interviewing, or temporarily detaining individuals for civil immigration purposes; surveillance or monitoring activities related to civil immigration enforcement; or as operations bases, coordination points, or logistical hubs for civil immigration enforcement actions.
• Exceptions include the entering of areas of City property generally open to the public, compliance with a valid judicial warrant or court order, and criminal law enforcement activities where civil immigration enforcement is not the primary purpose.
• The City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, will develop administrative procedures to implement these restrictions, and departments will receive training, as appropriate, regarding such administrative procedures.
• For purposes of the administrative procedures, certain definitions will apply as specified in the Resolution, such as for “civil immigration enforcement”, “City property”, and “surveillance”.
The proposed Resolution will take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council. The proposed Resolution does not repeal or replace the Sanctuary City Resolution and related policies; rather, it supplements it.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There may be a minimal amount of fiscal impact in the form of staff time and resources, including but not limited to any required training, to implement the Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-02-26_ATT 1_Resolution No. 2017-R025 (Culver City Sanctuary City Policy)
2. 2026-02-26_ATT 2_Proposed Resolution Restricting Use of City Property for Federal Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution restricting the use of City-owned or City-controlled property for federal civil immigration enforcement activities; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to implement the Resolution as necessary.