San Mateo County ordinance bars release of information to federal immigration officials

San Mateo County has further codified its refusal to collaborate with federal immigration authorities in most cases by passing an ordinance that restricts county employees from sharing information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or assisting the agency in any way with immigration enforcement.

The law approved at the April 25 Board of Supervisors meeting prevents county departments and employees from using county resources to assist ICE by detaining or transferring anyone already in custody or helping with an arrest. It has exceptions for cases in which a federal judge has signed off on a warrant for immigration proceedings and investigations that do not involve immigration enforcement, such as human trafficking and other crimes.