From: Wendy Millstine
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Comments on ICE Use of the City
Date: Monday, March 23, 2026 5:26:04 PM
Dear Members of the Santa Rosa City Council,
This is a critical moment to act in the best interest of your constituents by adopting a clear policy that prohibits the use of city-owned or city-controlled property for federal immigration enforcement (or ICE) activities.
This issue directly impacts public safety and community trust. When local public spaces—such as municipal buildings, parking facilities, or service centers—are used to support immigration enforcement, it discourages residents from safely accessing schools and essential services. People become less likely to report crimes, seek medical care, apply for housing assistance, or engage with city programs out of fear that doing so could put themselves or their loved ones at risk of detention or deportation.
The aggressive nature of immigration enforcement practices contributes to a broader climate of fear that extends beyond immigrant communities. It affects anyone vulnerable to racial profiling, including children, families, and neighbors.
This dynamic weakens the fabric of our community, undermines public safety for everyone, and erodes trust in local leadership.
Adopting a policy that restricts the use of city property for these purposes would demonstrate strong leadership and a clear commitment to the safety and well-being of your constituents. Importantly, such a policy does not interfere with federal law.
It aligns with constitutional principles and affirms the City’s authority to determine how its property and resources are used—ensuring they serve the public interest and support the people who live and work here.
I respectfully urge the Council to act with integrity and courage to protect your community by:
Passing an ordinance that explicitly prohibits the use of city property for immigration enforcement activities
Establishing clear implementation guidelines for all departments and partner agencies
Creating oversight and accountability measures to ensure compliance At a time when many communities are facing heightened fear and uncertainty, this policy represents a meaningful step toward stability, fairness, and responsible governance.
Thank you for your leadership and consideration. I respectfully ask that you move this protective measure forward without delay.
Sincerely,
Wendy Millstine
126 Sequoia Circle
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
From: Byron Durkee
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Bar Federal Immigration Authorities from City Spaces Date: Monday, March 23, 2026 5:30:19 PM
The use of city property for immigration enforcement is not defined as "city purpose" and would be considered as unauthorized use under proposed rules. We need to establish an "ICE- free zone" to further limit cooperation between city and federal authorities as has been adopted across the Bay Area. ICE has been shown to have an intimidating effect on our immigration
communities. We need to affirm commitment to our immigration communities.
Byron J. Durkee
resident of Santa Rosa
[email protected]
From: Roy Johnston
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] ICE-Free Zone
Date: Monday, March 23, 2026 9:58:19 PM
I am opposed to the city passing an ICE-free zone. We should respect the national security laws and cooperate with ICE as they remove the most dangerous undocumented immigrants from our community.
Regards,
Roy Johnston
From: Elise Baril
To: CityCouncilListPublic
Subject: [EXTERNAL] ICE meeting today
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 8:30:22 AM
I’ll be as brief as I can. I’ve lived in Santa Rosa since 1959 and raised my family here and my daughter is raising her family here. I own a small business that my daughter is managing.
There is a community of a few thousand Fijian people in Sonoma County, mostly in Santa Rosa. They are largely undocumented but are SO NEEDED by those of us who are caring for our loved ones. My husband has severe dementia and would need memory care which starts at $9K a month in Santa Rosa. He can be aggressive and is a run-away risk, so I can no longer manage him even with meds.
His caregiver is a former officer in the Fijian army who has lived with us for 3 years and his pay is $3K a month with room and board which I can barely afford. My husband can no longer take walks to reduce his anxiety significantly out of fear of ICE. I lose sleep worrying about ICE. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE protect my husband’s caregiver!!!!
Elise (she/her)
'Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.’
From: Bob Schneider
To: CityCouncilListPublic
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Please Support the ICE-Free Zone Ordinance – Community Safety Matters Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 12:22:33 PM
Dear Members of the Santa Rosa City Council,
I am writing to express my strong support for the ordinance creating ICE-free zones, which you are voting on today, March 24.
Santa Rosa is a diverse, welcoming community, and this ordinance is a meaningful step toward ensuring that all of our neighbors — regardless of immigration status — can live without fear. When community members are afraid to call the police, visit a doctor, or send their children to school, everyone’s safety suffers. ICE-free zones help rebuild the trust between local government and the people it serves.
We have seen across the country how immigration enforcement operations in our communities contribute to a climate of fear and, in many cases, tear apart families who have built their lives here. Protecting our neighbors from that harm is not a political act — it is a moral one.
Fascism and state-sanctioned violence thrive when communities are divided and when the most vulnerable among us are targeted. By passing this ordinance, you send a clear message: Santa Rosa stands with its people.
I urge you to vote YES on this ordinance today. Our community is watching, and I am grateful for your leadership.
Respectfully,
Bob Schneider