The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved legislation Tuesday preventing federal immigration enforcement operations on city property. 

“This legislation is a necessary piece in upholding our Sanctuary City commitments,” said Supervisor Chyanne Chen in a statement. “We will not stand for ICE to use our public properties to aid their harassment or terrorization of San Franciscans.”

San Francisco is already a sanctuary city, meaning that local law enforcement is restricted from assisting federal immigration operations. However, the designation does not prevent federal immigration agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from coming into the city and detaining people. 

The new “ICE Free Zones Ordinance” approved Tuesday essentially prohibits any entity from conducting activities that disrupt city operations or city services, stating that immigration enforcement activities on public property undermines city operations. It also allows the City Attorney’s Office to take legal action against any entity engaged in unauthorized use of public properties. 

Chen and Supervisor Bilal Mahmood co-authored the legislation. 

Multiple studies conducted by the Urban Institute, a policy research organization, show that heightened immigration enforcement leads to decreased participation in public activities among immigrant families.

The aim of the legislation is to encourage residents, regardless of immigration status, to continue using city programs and services without fear of potential activities from federal immigration authorities. 

“When immigration enforcement shows up at or near public facilities, we know what happens,” Mahmood said in a statement. “People disappear from services, kids miss school, witnesses don’t report crimes, and the city can’t do its job.”

San Francisco is the latest local jurisdiction to pass such an ordinance, following suit behind Richmond, San Jose, Oakland, and the counties of Santa Clara and Alameda.

Alise Maripuu is an intern at BCN with a focus on covering the Peninsula. Originally from San Carlos, Alise discovered her passion for journalism after studying abroad in Thailand during her senior year attending UC Santa Cruz. Her experience in Thailand taught her the consequences for democracy when living in a society with strict laws against free speech. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history, Alise took courses in journalism at Skyline Community College to learn how to write for news. As the Chief Copy Editor on Skyline’s student-run newspaper for the 2023-24 school year, Alise gained editing and managing experience leading a team of reporters. She covered hyperlocal stories affecting her campus such as the rise in food and housing insecurity. Alise wants to focus on data journalism.