Officials reaffirm compliance with state immigration laws amid regional discussions
COTATI, California (Sonoma Times) — This week, Cotati city leaders began outlining how the small Sonoma County community might respond if federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents increase operations in the region. During a March 24 special meeting, the City Council and the Community-Police Advisory Committee discussed steps to reinforce existing state protections and clarify local protocol in the event of federal immigration enforcement activity.
City Manager Damien O’Bid presented an overview of options for the city, emphasizing that Cotati is already bound by state laws restricting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Among them are the California Values Act (SB 54) and the Truth Act (AB 2792)—both passed during the Trump administration—as well as newer measures like the No Secret Police Act (SB 627) and the California Duty to Intercede Law (AB 26). Each defines how local governments may engage, or decline to engage, with federal agencies in matters involving immigration enforcement.
The meeting follows heightened attention across Sonoma County, with neighboring Santa Rosa recently exploring similar questions of readiness and coordination. Cotati officials noted that reaffirming compliance with these laws would be an important step toward ensuring residents understand local enforcement boundaries. The council also expressed interest in formalizing a policy against allowing ICE access to non-public city facilities—such as police station parking areas and fenced public works spaces—while acknowledging that restricting public building access to federal agents remains a legally complicated issue.
California’s approach to immigration enforcement has evolved significantly over the past decade. Following widely publicized immigration raids in other U.S. cities, including a high-profile incident in Minneapolis, many California jurisdictions took steps to limit participation by local police in federal operations. In Sonoma County, those discussions intensified in 2017 when the Board of Supervisors endorsed the “sanctuary” framework now embedded in state law.
While the Cotati council made no official declarations this week, members agreed that consistency with countywide and regional policies would be essential should federal agencies increase activity in the area. A finalized response plan is expected to come before the council for formal review in the weeks ahead.
