The City of Richmond to Vote on Strengthening Sanctuary City Protections
Richmond, CA – Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez and the City Council are set to vote on a Sanctuary City ordinance update, reinforcing the City's commitment to protecting immigrant communities. Scheduled for Council consideration on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the proposed ordinance titled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Richmond Limiting the Use of City Resources for Federal Immigration Enforcement,” seeks to further limit local involvement in federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The ordinance builds on Richmond’s existing Sanctuary City policies, Ordinance No. 29-90 and Ordinance No. 12-18, aligning with California’s State Senate Bill 54 (the California Values Act), which limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, further safeguarding Richmond immigrant residents who may be vulnerable to enforcement actions.
Key Provisions of the Ordinance
Under the proposed update, the City of Richmond would:
- Prohibit city officials and law enforcement from using municipal resources to assist in federal immigration enforcement—unless required by law.
- Prevents city employees from collecting or sharing information regarding a person’s immigration status—unless required by law.
- Restrict local law enforcement from complying with civil immigration detainers, administrative warrants, or requests for release notifications unless mandated by a judicial warrant.
- Ensure that city services remain accessible to all residents, regardless of immigration status.
- Prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from accessing non-public city property for enforcement purposes —unless required by law.
Richmond’s Jurisdiction Limitations
Richmond, like other sanctuary cities, may have policies that limit local resources and information from being shared with ICE. This means the city government may not actively cooperate with ICE, especially when it comes to providing information about individuals who may be undocumented, unless required by law.
However, despite these local policies, the federal government, through agencies like ICE, has jurisdiction over immigration enforcement. This means that the federal government can still carry out deportations or other actions, regardless of local sanctuary policies. Richmond, or any sanctuary city, cannot legally stop ICE from performing its duties under federal law.
Commitment to Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Human Dignity
The proposed ordinance emphasizes that public safety and community trust are best served when all residents, regardless of immigration status, feel safe interacting with their local government. Immigrant communities make vital contributions to Richmond’s economy, culture, and social fabric. Whether they are workers, students, or parents, immigrants play a key role in shaping the vibrant and diverse character of the city. This proposed ordinance is a recognition of their indispensable value and the need for policies that ensure their safety and protection under the law.
“This ordinance reflects Richmond’s values of inclusion, equality, and respect for the rights of all people,” said Mayor Eduardo Martinez. “We want to ensure that all residents, regardless of immigration status, feel safe accessing city services and reporting crimes without fear of deportation. The immigrant community is a vital part of our population, and this policy strengthens our commitment to public safety, constitutional rights, and responsible governance.”
Next Steps
The Richmond City Council will vote on the ordinance (Agenda item # Q.1) during its next City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, meeting. If approved, the ordinance will be heard for a second reading, if passed on second reading the new provisions will take effect 30 days after adoption.
For more information or to provide public comments on the ordinance, residents are encouraged to attend the City Council meeting or contact their council representatives.
Link to the March 11 Council meeting agenda with instructions on how to make public comments, here.
Additionally, the Mayor’s office will hold a community event on March 15, at Richmond City Hall from 12pm – 3pm, where the community can stand together for social justice, celebrate diversity, and learn important constitutional rights. This event will feature speeches, resources, and entertainment.