Mayor Lee Directs City to Protect Residents from Immigration Surge
Published on January 29, 2026
Mayor Barbara Lee Signs Executive Orders Directing City Departments to Protect Oakland Residents from Federal Immigration Enforcement Surge
Executive orders will create a task force and prohibit federal officials from using Oakland
city property as staging areas for immigration enforcement
OAKLAND, CA – Mayor Barbara Lee today signed two Executive Orders directing City departments to protect Oakland residents and resources in response to the Trump administration's threats to deploy National Guard troops and surge immigration enforcement operations in the city.
The orders create a "Protect the Town Task Force" to coordinate citywide response efforts, explicitly prohibit federal officials from using Oakland city property as staging areas for immigration enforcement, and ensure the Oakland Police Department maintains operational independence from any deployed federal forces.
"Oakland has always been a city of refuge and a welcoming home for immigrants," said Mayor Barbara Lee. "These executive orders make clear that we will not allow our city resources, our property, or our police department to be weaponized against our residents. We will protect our communities and uphold our values."
The first Executive Order establishes the Protect the Town Task Force to coordinate interdepartmental planning, educate communities about their rights, and work with state and local partners including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta to pursue legal actions if necessary. The task force will provide regular public updates and partner with community organizations to support immigrant residents.
The order also reinforces that the Oakland Police Department will not assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in enforcing civil immigration violations, and that OPD will maintain functional independence and will not act at the direction of the National Guard or federal authorities if troops are deployed to Oakland.The second Executive Order prohibits use of any Oakland city-owned or city-controlled property as a staging area, processing location, or operations base for federal civil immigration enforcement. City agencies will post clear signage on properties and install physical barriers such as locked gates where appropriate. City employees who become aware of attempted unauthorized use must immediately report to their supervisors and the Mayor's Office.
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12): "President Trump's threats to militarize our streets and terrorize Black, brown, and immigrant families are terrifying and unconscionable. We refuse to let this Administration make us forget our rights and our power through violence and intimidation. Thank you to Mayor Lee for her clear and strong leadership. We’re going to stand up for our communities, our rights, and our future.”
State Senator Jesse Arreguin: "As we watch in horror the atrocities the federal government is committing against both immigrants and US citizens, I welcome Mayor Lee’s actions to protect our communities against abuses of power. We know that despite vitriolic rhetoric spreading fear and lies, the truth is sanctuary cities are safe, and immigrants make our communities better."
Assemblymember Mia Bonta: “When ICE comes to town, they bring chaos, violence, and fear with them - for citizens and non-citizens alike. That’s why it’s so important that Mayor Lee is taking proactive steps to ensure that Oakland is ready to protect our residents. Oakland leads with our values, and we value defending our neighbors, regardless of where they were born. I’m proud to support the Mayor’s executive orders and am committed to defending the town at the state level.”
Oakland Police Chief James Beere: “The Oakland Police Department upholds the Oakland Sanctuary City Policy. We protect all residents regardless of immigration status. We do not assist with civil immigration enforcement. We will not ask you your immigration status when you call for help or dial 911. We do not share your address or court dates with ICE or Border Patrol. It is safe to call 911.”
Lourdes Martinez, Centro Legal De La Raza: “As Alameda County’s Rapid Response service provider, ACILEP is committed to the work of rapid response and immigrant justice. The support of the City of Oakland, as well as other municipalities and government agencies in the county is imperative. Our communities must not be left alone to respond to ICE’s violent tactics. We applaud the Mayor’s Executive Order, which is an important step for Oakland to prepare to defend our city. And we will continue to work with the Mayor’s Office to ensure the City’s policies and budget prioritize protecting and defendingimmigrants, their families and our larger community against inhumane and illegal detentions, unjust deportations and state harassment and violence. ACILEP will continue to operate a hotline 7 days a week. Call ACILEP to report ICE activity in the county: 510-241-4011.”
Antoinette Blue, SEIU Local 1021: “The City’s Administrative Instruction is the result of real collaboration between City leadership, Human Resources, and labor. This illustrates that when labor and management come together with shared values and a clear purpose - mountains CAN be moved. City employees are committed to protecting our immigrant communities, and this guidance gives workers clarity, protection, and confidence in how to respond to ICE interactions. Oakland is a Sanctuary City not just in name, but in practice, and this policy defends that commitment by safeguarding public trust, protecting families, and making clear that City resources and employees will not be used to carry out federal immigration enforcement.”
Stephanie Tran, President, Board of Directors of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce: “Chinatown was built by immigrants, just like many neighborhoods throughout Oakland and cities across this nation. Our people are not outsiders in this city - they are business owners, workers, and taxpayers who keep Oakland moving. We thank Mayor Lee for her leadership in protecting immigrant communities and standing up for Oakland as a sanctuary city. Protecting immigrant-owned businesses means protecting our local economy, our culture, and the families who have invested their lives here.”
The orders come as the Trump administration has threatened to deploy National Guard troops and significantly expand immigration enforcement operations in cities including Oakland. The deployment of federal tactical units for civil immigration enforcement would exacerbate harms facing Oakland's historically underserved residents, including unsheltered people, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and immigrant communities.
Oakland continues to support the Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership (ACILEP), which community members can contact to report ICE sightings and detentions. The city will continue providing Know Your Rights materials in multiple languages and "Employees Only" signs for Oakland businesses to mark non-public areas. Both Executive Orders take effect immediately.
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