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Gov. Code § 54957.5 (SB 343):
Resolution of the City Council of the City of South San Francisco’s Commitment to diversity and inclusion; expressing grave concern over recent Federal immigration enforcement actions and their impact on civil liberties; calling for accountability, transparency, and respect for due process; and clarifying existing laws and policies and the City’s response to immigration enforcement actions that do not comply with those laws and policies.
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WHEREAS, due to recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis, Minnesota, including multiple fatal shootings by federal immigration agents and federal agents’ resistance to local/state investigations, serious concerns have been raised nationwide regarding the protection and preservation of constitutional rights, the use of excessive force, and local autonomy in law enforcement oversight between municipalities and counties; and
WHEREAS, federal immigration enforcement can escalate fear and pose an immediate chilling effect on cities, including but not limited to, inhibiting local residents from freely enjoying public facilities, attending schools, accessing medical services, and engaging in the basic civil liberties of life, as entitled in the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the United States Constitution guarantees fundamental civil liberties, including due process, equal protection under law, freedom of speech, and freedom from unreasonable seizure with the understanding that these rights belong to every person, regardless of citizenship status, in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco (“City”) is a welcoming, inclusive city that will protect the rights and privileges of everyone in South San Francisco, regardless of immigration status, and will oppose any attempts to undermine the safety, security, and rights of members of our community, as stated in Resolution 17-2017 which affirms the City’s commitment to diversity and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, the City has a long-standing commitment to ensuring residents feel safe contacting public safety services, as affirmed by Resolution 25-543 which authorized a data-sharing agreement with other San Mateo County law enforcement agencies, yet explicitly states that the City prohibits data use for immigration enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the South San Francisco Police Department (SSFPD) has a long and proud history of building strong relationships of mutual respect and trust with community members, regardless of their immigration status, and SSFPD policies state that the department does not directly investigate or enforce immigration laws, as their primary function is to enforce the laws of the state of California; and
WHEREAS, the City has and is actively sharing information with the community about their constitutional rights, partnered with county and local organizations in support of all residents, held numerous Know Your Rights Workshops, and shared resources, such as Immigrant Legal Resource Center-developed “red cards” to provide information, support, and solidarity with all community members, no matter their immigration status; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of South San Francisco reaffirms that all government actions, local, state, or federal, must adhere to constitutional principles and that local democratic institutions play a vital role in upholding the rule of law and community trust.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of South San Francisco as follows:
SECTION 1. CITY RESPONSE TO USE OF CITY PROPERTY OR FACILITIES BY AN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITY
A. Supervision of all City property and facilities is vested in the City Manager. (South San Francisco Municipal Code (“SSFMC”) § 2.20.060.) Any use of City property or facilities must be expressly authorized by the SSFMC or other valid law, an ordinance or resolution of the City Council, a valid contract with the City, or the City Manager through a permit or policy. Any use of City property or facilities not expressly authorized is prohibited.
B. It is the existing practice and policy of the City to respond to any unauthorized use of City property or facilities to inform the user or users that their use is not authorized and that they must cease and desist immediately, and to demand that they depart the City property or facility without delay.
C. Use of City property or facilities by Immigration Authorities is not expressly allowed and is therefore already prohibited.
D. In the event that an Immigration Authority attempts to use a City property or facility, the City Manager or delegee will inform the Immigration Authority that their use is not authorized and that they must cease and desist immediately and will demand that they depart the City property or facility without delay.
E. If the Immigration Authority refuses a lawful demand to immediately cease and desist in its unauthorized use of City property or facilities and to depart without delay, the City will take the following steps:
1. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the City provided the Immigration Authority with a lawful demand to cease and desist in the use of City property or facilities and demanded that the Immigration Authority depart without delay.
2. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the Immigration Authority refused the City’s lawful demand, including but not limited to in writing, video, and photographs.
3. Immediately inform all City departments of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s use of City property or facilities.
4. Immediately inform the South San Francisco community, through all available means of communication, of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s use of City property or facilities.
5. Immediately inform the press of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s use of City property or facilities.
SECTION 2. CONTINUING RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS TO CITY FACILITIES AND CITY RESPONSE TO VIOLATIONS OF RESTRICTIONS BY AN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITY
A. Consistent with the City Manager’s authority described in Section 1(A) of this Resolution, access to some City facilities or portions of facilities is restricted to City employees and officials and individuals with express permission to enter. Anyone without express authorization is prohibited from entering restricted facilities or areas of facilities.
B. Entrance into restricted City facilities or restricted areas of City facilities by Immigration Authorities is not expressly allowed and is therefore already prohibited, unless the Immigration Authority is acting pursuant to a lawfully issued judicial warrant.
C. Restricted City facilities or portions of facilities have appropriate signage providing notice of the restrictions. Some restricted facilities or portions of facilities have locked doors or gates in addition to or lieu of signage. The City will continue to maintain and supplement signage and will continue to keep restricted facilities and restricted areas locked and gated, as deemed appropriate by the City Manager.
D. It is the existing practice and policy of the City to respond to any attempt at unauthorized entry into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility to inform the person attempting entry or who has already entered that they are not authorized to enter and that they must immediately cease and desist any attempt to enter, or exit the restricted facility or area without delay.
E. In the event that an Immigration Authority attempts to enter into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility, the City Manager or delegee will inform the Immigration Authority that their entrance is not authorized, unless they can produce a valid judicial warrant to enter the facility or area of a facility, and that they must cease and desist immediately the attempt to enter or depart the restricted City facility or restricted area without delay.
F. If the Immigration Authority refuses a lawful demand to immediately cease and desist in its attempt to enter a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility or to depart without delay, the City will take the following steps:
1. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the City provided the Immigration Authority with a lawful demand to cease and desist in its entrance into a restricted City facility or restricted area of a City facility or demanded that the Immigration Authority depart without delay.
2. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the Immigration Authority refused the City’s lawful demand, including but not limited to in writing, video, and photographs.
3. Immediately inform all City departments of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s unauthorized attempt to enter or actual entrance into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility.
4. Immediately inform the South San Francisco community, through all available means of communication, of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s unauthorized attempt to enter or actual entrance into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility.
5. Immediately inform the press of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s unauthorized attempt to enter or actual entrance into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility.
G. If the Immigration Agency produces a valid judicial warrant to enter the facility or area, the City will nevertheless document the interaction and follow the steps in paragraphs (F)(3) through (F)(5), above.
SECTION 3. CITY RESPONSE TO IMMIGRATION AUTHORITY REFUSAL TO COMPLY WITH CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRING THEM TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND UNCOVER THEIR FACES
A. In 2025, the California Legislature enacted and the Governor signed SB 627 and SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act. SB 627 prohibits a law enforcement officer from wearing a facial covering that conceals or obscures their facial identity in the performance of their duties, unless an exception applies. SB 805 requires a law enforcement officer that is not uniformed to visibly display identification that includes their agency and either a name or badge number to the public when performing their enforcement duties, unless an exception applies. Under both laws, law enforcement officers includes any officer or agent of an Immigration Agency or a person acting on behalf of an Immigration Agency.
B. In any interaction between City staff and an Immigration Authority, if City staff reasonably believe the Immigration Authority is not complying with SB 627 or SB 805, City staff will request that the Immigration Authority comply. If the Immigration Authority refuses to comply with SB 627 or SB 805, City staff will:
1. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the City provided the Immigration Authority with a lawful request to comply with SB 627 or SB 805.
2. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the Immigration Authority refused the City’s lawful request, including but not limited to in writing, video, and photographs.
3. Immediately inform all City departments of the request and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s activities that violate SB 627 or SB 805.
4. Immediately inform the South San Francisco community, through all available means of communication, of the request and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s activities that violate SB 627 and SB 805.
5. Immediately inform the press of the request and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s activities that violate SB 627 and SB 805.
SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Resolution:
A. “Immigration Authority” means any person or agency engaging in efforts to investigate, enforce, or assist in the enforcement of federal civil immigration law, including, but not limited to, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
B. “Judicial warrant” means a warrant based on probable cause and signed by a federal or state judge. It does not include administrative warrants, such as ICE Form I-200 or I-205, issued by immigration officers.
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