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<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cI absolutely believe it\u2019s critical,\u201d Lopez told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cI had many residents (reach out to me) concerned about the possibility of staged enforcement action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lopez said Campbell aims to model its policy after\u00a0Santa Clara\u2019s ban<\/a>, and he echoed similar concerns about the fear surrounding community hubs being used for immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n Santa Clara passed its ICE ban in early February, just before\u00a0Super Bowl 60<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n Santa Clara\u2019s decision builds off similar actions taken by\u00a0San Jose in January<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n Campbell business owners and residents milling around the historic downtown agreed with making the ICE ban a priority to protect the community.<\/p>\n \u201cThe city of Campbell has a large immigrant population, we need to be more vocal about protecting these residents,\u201d Addison Giovannoni, resident and volunteer with the Rapid Response Network of Santa Clara County, told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cPeople shouldn\u2019t be afraid to go outside because they might be taken away or arrested.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0canceled its longstanding contract<\/a>\u00a0with the theater due to a \u201ctermination for convenience of the government\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re immigrant founded,\u201d employee Noemia Butar told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWe want people to feel seen and heard here. Not scared.\u201d<\/p>\n If passed, Campbell would become the third city in Santa Clara County to enact some form of ICE ban.\u00a0The county restricts ICE from using its properties<\/a>\u00a0without a court order \u2014 a policy that went into effect last October.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a very welcoming community, and we\u2019re proud of our diverse city,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cI\u2019ve never had so many residents reach out to me positively about a council action. I think it has been very reassuring for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n Contact Sofia Ruvalcaba at\u00a0sofruvalcaba@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0or @sofiaruvs on X.<\/p>\n