Agenda Item #15.1
For Council Meeting of February 10, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: LORI ANN FARRELL, INTERIM CITY MANAGER
TERESA STRICKER, CITY ATTORNEY
JOHN CREGAN, POLICE CHIEF
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ADOPT LEGISLATION TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY BY REQUIRING APPROPRIATE TRAINING, CONDUCT, OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGENTS AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Interim City Manager, City Attorney, and Chief of Police recommend that the Council adopt a resolution urging the United States Congress to adopt legislation to protect public safety by requiring appropriate law enforcement training, conduct, oversight, and accountability standards requirements for federal immigration enforcement agents. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed resolution urges Congress to enact reforms focused on the manner and conduct of federal immigration enforcement activities – not immigration policy itself. The resolution reflects the City of Santa Rosa’s longstanding commitment to civil rights, federal constitutional protections, public safety and community trust. It calls for minimum training standards, clear identification of immigration agents, independent investigations into use of force by federal immigration agents, body-worn cameras, civil rights accountability, coordination with local agencies, and warrant-based enforcement for federal immigration enforcement agents operating within local jurisdictions. The resolution is advisory and advocacy based. It does not alter local law enforcement operations, impose new City programs or practice, or create fiscal impacts.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #4 - Foster a Safe, Healthy, and Inclusive Community.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
Santa Rosa has consistently affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the civil rights, safety, and dignity of all its residents, regardless of immigration status. Public trust in law enforcement is essential to community safety and effective policing. In California, local law enforcement agencies are subject to extensive training, oversight, transparency, and accountability requirements, including Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) certification, use of force standards, body worn camera policies, and independent investigations of critical incidents.
Recent federal immigration enforcement actions nationwide have raised concerns regarding agent identification, training standards, use of force, transparency, and accountability mechanisms. These concerns include the use of face coverings, misleading identifiers, lack of body worn cameras, and limited avenues for independent investigation or civil accountability.
The proposed resolution urges Congress to ensure that federal immigration enforcement agents operating in local communities are held to the standards consistent with those imposed on local law enforcement agencies, in order to promote transparency, accountability, community and officer safety, and public trust.
ANALYSIS
The resolution urges Congress to enact legislation addressing the following key areas:
Clear and Accurate Identification – Require federal immigration enforcement agents to remove the word “Police” from uniforms and insignia, and to instead clearly and consistently identity themselves using accurate agency identifiers such as “ICE” or “ERO.” Independent Investigations – Authorize and allow local or state law enforcement agencies to conduct independent investigations into all in-custody injuries or deaths and all shooting incidents involving federal immigration enforcement agents operating within their jurisdiction.
Prohibition on Face Coverings – Prohibit federal immigration enforcement agents from wearing face masks or other coverings that conceal their identity while performing official duties, consistent with the principles and standards set forth in California Senate Bill 627.
Body-Worn Cameras – Require federal immigration enforcement agents to be equipped with, trained in, and required to properly use body-worn cameras during all street level interactions, consistent with standards applicable to local law enforcement agencies, to ensure transparency and accountability.
Minimum Training Standards – Require federal immigration enforcement agents to complete, at a minimum, training equivalent to a basic POST certified law enforcement academy, including instruction in use of force, deescalation techniques, implicit bias, and cultural competency and sensitivity training, consistent with standards imposed on local law enforcement agencies.
Civil Rights Accountability – Amend federal law to explicitly hold federal immigration enforcement agents accountable under 42 United States Code Section 1983, allowing individuals to bring civil actions in federal court for violations of federal constitutional rights committed by federal agents acting under color of law.
Local Notification of ICE Enforcement Actions – Require federal immigration enforcement agencies to notify local law enforcement agencies in advance of any planned enforcement activity within the jurisdiction, to operate under the same legal standards applicable to local law enforcement.
Lawful Warrant Based Enforcement – Require federal immigration enforcement agents to conduct only warrant based actions associated with specific federal criminal violations, and prohibit broad, warrantless immigration sweeps.
This resolution also urges other local governments to adopt similar resolutions. These measures are intended to enhance constitutional compliance, public confidence, and the safety of both community members and law enforcement officers.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of this resolution. The action is advisory in nature and does not require additional staffing, programs or expenditures.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has no potential for resulting in a physical change in the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
PRESENTER(S)
Lori Ann Farrell, Interim City Manager
Teresa Stricker, City Attorney
John Cregan, Chief of Police
Lindsey Daugherty, Administrative Supervisor
RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ADOPT LEGISLATION TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY BY REQUIRING APPROPRIATE TRAINING, CONDUCT, OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGENTS PAGE 3 OF 3