Overview
- The newly adopted policy bars non-medical face coverings for all law enforcement in the city, requires visible identification, and mandates advance notice to SJPD if federal operations would involve masking.
- Councilmembers directed staff to inventory municipal properties and draft a policy to restrict immigration enforcement staging on city sites, modeled on Chicago’s approach and aligned with a recent California law.
- SJPD must notify the city manager when responding to ICE-related calls, establish protocols to investigate officer impersonation, and create a specialized unit to pursue such cases.
- Officials acknowledged likely legal tests and possible federal noncompliance, with the city considering options such as injunctions or interagency negotiation if rules are ignored.
- The measures drew broad support from local advocacy groups, followed Santa Clara County’s parallel effort, and build on San José’s earlier $1 million investment in immigrant-defense organizations.