RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UNION CITY
REAFFIRMING AND PROCLAIMING THE CITY OF UNION CITY AS A
COMPASSIONATE CITY, CLARIFYING EXISTING CITY LAWS AND
POLICIES AND THE CITY’S RESPONSE TO CIVIL IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH THOSE
LAWS AND POLICIES
WHEREAS, the City of Union City (“City”) is committed to building a neighborly community that is inclusive, hospitable, and compassionate; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that federal immigration policies continue to generate fear and anxiety among residents; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City that no person be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor shall any person be denied the enjoyment of his/her civil or political rights or be discriminated against because of age, race, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation, or citizenship status; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that such discrimination poses a threat to the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Union City and menaces the institutions and foundations of our community; and
WHEREAS, the City of Union City promotes inclusiveness, mutual respect, and cooperation throughout the community and continues to uphold its commitment to be a community free of prejudice, bigotry, and hate; and
WHEREAS, the City of Union recognizes that the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is responsible for enforcing federal civil immigration laws; thus, the City has no authority or jurisdiction for such enforcement; and WHEREAS, a relationship of trust between California’s immigrant residents and our local agencies, including law enforcement, schools, and healthcare providers, is essential to carrying out basic local functions; and
WHEREAS, in light of the above recitals, the City Council previously adopted Resolution No. 5069-017 declaring the City of Union City a Compassionate City; and WHEREAS,, the City of Union City condemns the raids and abuse conducted by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) and fully opposes any attempts to: break up families, deport those that are here illegally, but have not broken other laws; detain or deport anyone that is a victim or witness in an ongoing investigation, court proceeding or trail; conduct sweeps at schools, places of worship or City buildings or City properties; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to reaffirm that the City of Union City is a Compassionate City and will do everything within its legal authority to protect its residents and prevent city-owned or city-controlled property from being used for immigration-related enforcement without a judicial warrant or court order.
Resolution No. 2026-XXX
Reaffirming Union City as a Compassionate City
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Union City as follows:
Section1. The City Council of the City of Union City hereby reaffirms that the City of Union City is a Compassionate City and will act within its legal authority to prevent city-owned or city-controlled property from being used for immigration-related enforcement without a judicial warrant or court order.
Section 2. City response to use of City property or facilities.
A. Supervision of all City properties and facilities is vested in the City Manager. (Union City Municipal Code (UCMC) § 2.08.190) Any use of City property or facilities must be expressly authorized by the UCMC or other valid law, an ordinance or resolution of the City Council, a valid contract with the City, or the City Manager through a permit or policy. Any use of City property or facilities not expressly authorized is prohibited.
B. It is the existing practice and policy of the City to respond to any unauthorized use of City property or facilities to inform the user or users that their use is not authorized and that they must cease and desist immediately, and to demand that they depart the City property or facility without delay.
C. Use of City property or facilities for civil immigration enforcement is not expressly allowed and is not consistent with Resolution No. 5069-017 and is therefore already prohibited.
D. In the event that an Immigration Authority attempts to use the non-public portion of a City property or facility, the City Manager or their designee will inform the Immigration Authority that their use is not authorized and that they must cease and desist immediately and will demand that they depart the City property or facility without delay.
E. If the Immigration Authority refuses a lawful demand to immediately cease and desist in its unauthorized use of City property or facilities and to depart without delay, the City will take the following steps:
1. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the City provided the Immigration Authority with a lawful demand to cease and desist in the use of City property or facilities and demanded that the Immigration Authority depart without delay.
2. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the Immigration Authority refused the City’s lawful demand, including but not limited to in writing, video, and photographs.
3. Immediately inform all City departments of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s use of City property or facilities.
4. Immediately inform the Union City community, through all available means of communication, of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s use of the City property or facilities.
5. Immediately inform the press of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s use of City property and facilities.
Section 3. Continuing restrictions on access to City facilities and City response to violations of restrictions by an Immigration Authority.
Resolution No. 2026-XXX
Reaffirming Union City as a Compassionate City
A. Consistent with the City Manager’s authority described in Section 2(A) of this Resolution, access to some City facilities or portions of facilities is restricted to City employees and officials and individuals with express permission to enter. Anyone without express authorization is prohibited from entering restricted facilities or areas of facilities.
B. Entrance into restricted City facilities or restricted areas of City facilities by Immigration Authorities is not expressly allowed and is therefore already prohibited, unless the Immigration Authority is acting pursuant to a lawfully issued judicial warrant.
C. Restricted City facilities or portions of facilities have appropriate signage providing notice of the restrictions. Some restricted facilities or portions of facilities have locked doors or gates in addition to or in lieu of signage. The City will continue to maintain and supplement signage and will continue to keep restricted facilities and restricted areas locked and gated, as deemed appropriate by the City Manager.
D. It is the existing practice and policy of the City to respond to any attempt at unauthorized entry into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility to inform the person attempting entry or who has already entered that they are not authorized to enter and they must immediately cease and desist any attempt to enter, or exit the restricted facility or area without delay.
E. In the event that an Immigration Authority attempts to enter into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility, the City Manager or their designee will inform the Immigration Authority that their entrance is not authorized, unless they can produce a valid judicial warrant to enter the facility or area of a facility and that they must cease and desist immediately the attempt to enter or depart the restricted City facility or restricted area without delay.
F. If the Immigration Authority refuses a lawful demand to immediately cease and desist in its attempt to enter a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility or to depart without delay, the City will take the following steps:
1. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the City provided the Immigration Authority with a lawful demand to cease and desist in its entrance into a restricted City facility or restricted area of a City facility or demanded that the Immigration Authority depart without delay.
2. Document, to the extent feasible under the circumstances, that the Immigration Authority refused the City’s lawful demand, including but not limited to in writing, video, and photographs.
3. Immediately inform all City departments of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s unauthorized attempt to enter or actual entrance into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility.
4. Immediately inform the Union City community, through all available means of communication, of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s unauthorized attempt to enter or actual entrance into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility.
5. Immediately inform the press of the demand and refusal and the location and nature of the Immigration Authority’s unauthorized attempt to enter or actual entrance into a restricted City facility or restricted area in a City facility.
G. If the Immigration Authority produces a valid judicial warrant to enter the facility or area, the City will nevertheless document the interaction and follow the steps in paragraphs (F)(3) through (F)(5), above.
Resolution No. 2026-XXX
Reaffirming Union City as a Compassionate City
SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Resolution:
“Immigration Authority” means any person or agency engaging in efforts to investigate, enforce, or assist in the enforcement of federal civil immigration law, including, but not limited to, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). “Judicial warrant” means a warrant based on probable cause and signed by a federal or state judge. It does not include administrative warrants, such as ICE Form I-200 or I-205, issued by immigration officers.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting held on June 9, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
GARY SINGH
Mayor
ATTESTED: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
THAI NAM N. PHAM
City Clerk
KRISTOPHER J. KOKOTAYLO
City Attorney