DRAFT 3/31/2026 ____
T-OCM-260030/85987 1
Council Agenda:
Item No.:
RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUNNYVALE ESTABLISHING CITY COUNCIL POLICY 7.3.32, PROHIBITING THE USE
OF CITY PROPERTIES FOR CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
PURPOSES AND PROVIDING IMMIGRATION RESOURCES FOR CITY
PROPERTY OWNERS, BUSINESSES, AND RESIDENTS
WHEREAS, the City of Sunnyvale is home to people of diverse backgrounds, including a large immigrant population; and
WHEREAS, immigrants are valuable and essential members of the City of Sunnyvale community who contribute to the City’s economic, civic, and cultural vitality; and WHEREAS, Sunnyvale has repeatedly stated its core values related to its diverse community, most recently on January 14, 2025, when the City Council unanimously approved the “Statement on Our City Values and Public Service;” and WHEREAS, the City’s approved values include: (1) valuing our individual experiences and supporting and protecting people of any race, religion, ancestry, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity; (2) honoring cultural and religious traditions; (3) valuing and embracing the diverse backgrounds, race, nationalities, ancestries, and ethnicities; and (4) welcoming immigrants and refugees; and WHEREAS, a strong and trusting relationship between the City and its residents contributes to the public safety and well-being of all residents; and WHEREAS, actions by local, state, or federal government agencies that cause immigrant community members to fear reporting crimes, seeking health services, accessing City facilities, or engaging in civic life, detract from the safety and welfare of the entire community; and
WHEREAS, the federal government, through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has recently undertaken broad civil immigration enforcement operations in ways that have generated concern among local communities; and WHEREAS, state and local governments bear primary responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of their communities and possess the discretion and authority to adopt policies best suited to those communities; and
WHEREAS, current City policies do not explicitly restrict federal civil immigration enforcement agencies from using City-owned land or facilities for operations, staging, processing, or surveillance; and
Attachment 1
(See Updated Attachment 1, posted 20260406)
T-OCM-260030/85987 2
Council Agenda:
Item No.:
WHEREAS, the City does not want its a ssets or properties to be us ed by federal immigration authorities for purpos es of immigration enforcement because such use is likely to undermi ne trust in local gove rnment and the Cit y wants to use its limited resources for its own purpos es and goals, includin g fostering an environment of inclusiveness and trust between C
ity government and its residents; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to approve a City Council policy that furthers Sunnyvale’s core valu
es by (1) prohibiting federal civil immigration enforcement agencies from using City- owned land or fac
ilities for operations, staging, processing, or surveillance; and (2) authorizing City staff to provide certain, limited resources to support businesses and individuals seeking
tools and education about immigration rights; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has long recognized that state and local governmen
ts retain primary authority over matters affecting the health, safety, and welfare of their res
idents, and that decisions concerning local public resources are best made by governments closest and most accountable to the people they serve, and California Constitution Artic
le XI, Section 7 grants cities the authority to enact and enforc e laws a nd policies that do not conflict with general state law; and
WHEREAS, regulating the use of City-owned or City-controlled property, without regulating the conduct of federal agencies, is a lawful exercise of municipal authority and an appropriate and neces
sary means of promoting public safety, community trust, and the responsible use of public resources that will help ensure community members feel safe accessing City services and facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUNNYVALE THAT:
1. The City Council hereby adopts City Council Policy 7.3.32, Prohibiting the Use of City Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Related Policies to Provide Resources for City Property Owners, Businesses and Residents, attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A.
2. The
City Council finds that the action described in this resolution is a general policy tha
t does not have the potential to cause a physical environmental impact and there
fore is not a project subject to CEQA (CEQA Guidelines sections 15378(a) and 15378(b)(5))
.
Attachment 1
(See Updated Attachment 1, posted 20260406)
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Council Agenda:
Item No.:
Adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting held on ___________, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
RECUSAL:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
__________________________________ _________________________________
DAVID CARNAHAN
City Clerk
LARRY KLEIN
Mayor
(SEAL)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
REBECCA L. MOON
City Attorney
Exhibit A: City Council Policy 7.3.32, Prohibiting the Use of City Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Related Policies to Provide Resources for City Property Owners, Businesses and Residents
Attachment 1
(See Updated Attachment 1, posted 20260406)
7.3.32- Page 1
Policy 7.3.32 Prohibiting Use of City Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Related Policies to Provide
Resources for City Property Owners, Businesses and Residents POLICY PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to reaffirm the City of Sunnyvale’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all community members and clarify that federal civil immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
This policy establishes limitations on the use of City-owned or City-controlled property for civil immigration enforcement activities and provides guidance and informational resources for property owners, businesses, and residents.
POLICY STATEMENT:
1. Use of City Property
City-owned or City-controlled property shall not be used as a staging area, processing location, or operations base for civil immigration enforcement activities.
For purposes of this policy:
A. Staging Area: A location used to assemb le or deploy personne l, vehicles, or equipment for civil immigration enforcement operations.
B. Processing Location: A location used to detain, process, or temporarily hold individuals related to civil immigration enforcement.
C. Operations Base: A location used to c oordinate or conduct civil immigration enforcement activities.
2. Implementation.
The City Manager shall implement this policy and may take administrative actions as necessary, including:
A. Identifying City properties that could be used for civil immigration enforcement activities.
B. Implementing reasonable physical access controls where appropriate to ensure City properties are used only for authorized purposes.
C. Establishing procedures for City employees to report attempted or actual use of City property for civil immigration enforcement activities.
3. Limitations
This policy does not:
A. Restrict the enforcement of criminal law or the execution of lawful judicial warrants.
B. Modify or impair existing leases, licenses, or contractual agreements governing City property.
C. Limit lawful uses of City property unrelated to civil immigration enforcement activities.
D. Limit rights or obligations under state or federal law.
Exhibit A
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
Attachment 1
(See Updated Attachment 1, posted 20260406)
7.3.32- Page 2
4. Resources for Property Owners, Businesses, and Residents The City may provide informational resources to the public related to federal immigration enforcement activities, including:
A. County and Community Resources
The City will direct residents, businesses, and property owners to the Santa Clara County Office of Immigrant Relations (OIR) for additional support and up-to-date information. OIR connects individuals to trusted legal services, Know Your Rights resources, language access assistance, and community-based programs, and works with local organizations to promote inclusion, safety, and access to services.
B. Know Your Rights Materials
The City may make available public information resources regarding federal immigration enforcement activities consistent with California law and California Attorney General guidance.
5. Severability
If any portion of this policy is determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of the policy.
6. Implementation Authority
The City Manager shall administer this policy and may adopt administrative procedures necessary to implement it.
(Adopted: RTC 26-0156 (4/7/2026))
Lea
d Department: Office of the City Manager
Attachment 1
(See Updated Attachment 1, posted 20260406)