High school students gather at the Town Clock during a walkout against Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 30. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local file)

SANTA CRUZ >> Amid ongoing concerns of immigration enforcement in Santa Cruz County, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday is set to consider banning federal agencies from using county property for civil immigration enforcement. 

The policy would include banning the use of buildings, parking lots and open spaces without a warrant. If the policy is approved, county staff would develop policies of when and where to lock access to county spaces.

The proposal comes from the Safeguard Health, Inclusion, Essential Services, and Local Defense (SHIELD) subcommittee formed in January to address the impact of immigration enforcement and federal cuts for immigrant-serving programs. Other cities and counties in California have already enacted similar bans, like the “ICE-free zones” planned in Alameda County.

The committee reported that the County Executive Office:

• Is creating procedures for county staff when approached or questioned by federal law enforcement agents. This policy will apply to all Santa Cruz County departments and sites except the sheriff’s office and probation department. 
• Has requested that the Office of the Inspector General perform an audit of the sheriff’s office use of a statewide intelligence center that includes data from license plate readers in other cities and counties. The county itself does not operate any license plate readers.

Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.