One West Valley city wants to make its public spaces off limits to federal immigration agents.
Campbell Councilmember Sergio Lopez has proposed adopting a policy similar to one in Santa Clara that bars U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using public property for immigration enforcement. The City Council on Feb. 17 unanimously approved the proposal. Lopez and his office are developing a specific framework they plan to present to councilmembers for final approval by the end of March.
“I absolutely believe it’s critical,” Lopez told San José Spotlight. “I had many residents (reach out to me) concerned about the possibility of staged enforcement action.”
Lopez said Campbell aims to model its policy after Santa Clara’s ban, and he echoed similar concerns about the fear surrounding community hubs being used for immigration enforcement.
Santa Clara passed its ICE ban in early February, just before Super Bowl 60, with the goal of prohibiting immigration enforcement on city property. The city also created template signs for private business owners and residents who want to adopt similar restrictions.
Santa Clara’s decision builds off similar actions taken by San Jose in January, when the city barred ICE from operating in 11 city-owned parking garages and 75 libraries and community centers. These moves reflect a broader trend among Bay Area cities to limit the presence of immigration enforcement agencies in spaces where vulnerable populations gather.
Campbell business owners and residents milling around the historic downtown agreed with making the ICE ban a priority to protect the community.
“The city of Campbell has a large immigrant population, we need to be more vocal about protecting these residents,” Addison Giovannoni, resident and volunteer with the Rapid Response Network of Santa Clara County, told San José Spotlight. “People shouldn’t be afraid to go outside because they might be taken away or arrested.”
The Campbell Community Center is one of those public sites where adult classes, recreational facilities and other services are offered. Lopez stressed the importance of ensuring public services remain accessible for all residents.
The Heritage Theatre, which is part of the community center, previously served as a naturalization site for community members across the South Bay who came to be sworn in as U.S. citizens. In March 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services canceled its longstanding contract with the theater due to a “termination for convenience of the government” clause. The decision drew frustration from residents and those awaiting their ceremony alike. The community saw it as a loss of an important civic space.
Workers with Therapy Stores, an Asian American and Pacific Islander women-owned business operating in downtown Campbell since 1994, also expressed strong support for the policy.
“We’re immigrant founded,” employee Noemia Butar told San José Spotlight. “We want people to feel seen and heard here. Not scared.”
If passed, Campbell would become the third city in Santa Clara County to enact some form of ICE ban. The county restricts ICE from using its properties without a court order — a policy that went into effect last October.
“This is a very welcoming community, and we’re proud of our diverse city,” Lopez said. “I’ve never had so many residents reach out to me positively about a council action. I think it has been very reassuring for the community.”
Contact Sofia Ruvalcaba at sofruvalcaba@gmail.com or @sofiaruvs on X.