REPORT TO COUNCIL AND STADIUM AUTHORITY BOARD
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Possible Actions on a City Council Statement Related to Super Bowl Safety and Affirmation of Support for Immigrant Communities, and Policy Regarding Immigration Enforcement Activities within the City of Santa Clara
Report
BACKGROUND
At the January 27, 2026 Council meeting, present members of the City Council unanimously approved to agendize an item, first initiated as a City Council Policy 030 request from District 4 Councilmember Kevin Park, to be heard at the February 3, 2026 Special Council Meeting. The request was for discussion and potential action on safety protocols, community requests, and policies regarding immigration enforcement activities by the Santa Clara City Council.
This report provides information on other local jurisdictions’ recent policies, existing immigration services and resources, public safety coordination for major events, and a draft City Council Statement on Super Bowl Safety and Affirmation of Support for Immigrant Communities, as well as a draft Resolution for consideration to adopt a new City Council Policy 056, “Prohibiting Use of City Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Related Policies to Provide Resources for City Property Owners, Businesses, and Residents.”
DISCUSSION
Throughout Santa Clara’s long and proud history, immigrants and people from all backgrounds have enriched and helped define Santa Clara’s cultural, economic, and civic life - as community leaders, entrepreneurs, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow students. Their presence and contributions have not only helped to fuel innovation, growth, and opportunity throughout the City, but have shaped our identity.
Recent federal immigration enforcement activities in the United States have continued to emphasize enforcement actions carried out within the U.S. by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including administrative arrests, detention, and removals based on civil immigration violations. While federal guidance has articulated enforcement priorities focused on public safety and national security, implementation has varied across regions and over time. These activities have had ongoing impacts on local governments and communities, particularly with respect to community trust, use of local resources, and questions regarding the role of cities in relation to federal civil immigration enforcement.
Santa Clara community members have expressed concerns about recent immigration enforcement activities across the country and news about potential immigration enforcement presence at upcoming events.
Existing Immigration Services and Resources
The County of Santa Clara’s Office of Immigrant Relations (OIR) supports immigrant residents in Santa Clara County by connecting them to legal services, information, and community resources. OIR funds and coordinates local immigration legal assistance through partnerships with community-based organizations, operates the County’s Rapid Response Network and 24-hour hotline to support residents during immigration enforcement activity, and provides tools such as Family Preparedness Plans to help families prepare for emergencies. The office also delivers multilingual outreach and “Know Your Rights” education to ensure immigrant communities understand their rights and available services, helping families stay informed, prepared, and connected to support.
Communication from Community
Over the last week, the City has received numerous communications from the community and other sources about immigration enforcement, including copies of other jurisdictions’ adopted policies, proposed actions by the City, and draft policies. Such communication is attached to this report (Attachment 1).
Levi’s Stadium Major Events and Public Safety Coordination
Levi’s Stadium and the Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) will host Super Bowl LX (SBLX) on February 8, 2026. Additionally, Levi’s Stadium will be one of North America’s host venues for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Six (6) FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC26) events will take place at Levi’s Stadium from June 13 - July 1, 2026.
Major events such as the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup require extensive coordination between local, regional, state, federal, and private partners to implement. This includes but is not limited to planning efforts focused on counterterrorism, site security, traffic, transportation, aviation, interoperability, emergency response, cyber security, dignitary protection, crowd management, human trafficking, and crisis management.
Since 2014, Santa Clara Police Department and allied partners have supported 200+ major events at Levi’s Stadium, serving over 9 million attendees, with over 40,000 cumulative personnel deployments. Stadium deployments are complex, multi-agency operations addressing public safety, traffic and mobility, emergency response readiness, and neighborhood impacts.
The Santa Clara Police Department remains focused on public safety, emergency response, and community protection. Santa Clara police officers do not engage in civil immigration enforcement and will not interrupt or assist with such actions. Their role is to protect public safety and serve the community with professionalism and respect.
First Amendment Activities
In recent days, immigration enforcement actions have prompted First Amendment assemblies and protests within the nation. Additionally, the upcoming Super Bowl is expected to draw groups seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights. The City recognizes the importance of protecting lawful expression and is proactively preparing for these organized activities. Preparations include establishing designated free speech areas and providing clear, advance communication regarding traffic operations and access routes. These measures are intended to support the safe and orderly movement of visitors, demonstrators, and the general public, while minimizing disruptions and ensuring public safety. Proactive planning and clear communication enable the City to effectively manage anticipated activity, uphold constitutional rights, and maintain access to public spaces during the event.
Draft City Council Statement on Super Bowl Safety and Affirmation of Support for Immigrant Communities
A draft City Council Statement on Super Bowl Safety and Affirmation of Support for Immigrant Communities is listed below and also attached to this agenda report for the Council’s consideration (Attachment 2).
Throughout Santa Clara’s long and proud history, immigrants and people from all backgrounds have enriched and helped define Santa Clara’s cultural, economic, and civic life-as community leaders, entrepreneurs, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow students. Their presence and contributions have not only helped to fuel innovation, growth, and opportunity throughout the City, but have also shaped our identity.
By fostering an inclusive environment grounded in respect, dignity, and fairness, the Santa Clara City Council affirms the principle that every person deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported. When we embrace diversity, we are better equipped to thrive-socially, economically, and morally.
The Santa Clara City Council shares deep concern and sorrow over the loss of life connected to recent immigration enforcement actions nationwide, and we recognize that such conduct has made many members of our community fearful. The deaths and other incidents that appear to be inconsistent with respect for individual rights and due process demand serious attention at the federal level.
Major events such as the Super Bowl require extensive coordination among local, state, and federal agencies to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and participants. As part of this coordinated effort, multiple agencies will be present as a routine and precautionary measure to support event security, emergency preparedness, and response to credible public-safety concerns. We engaged in this level of coordination in 2016 for Super Bowl 50, and it is common for all major sporting events, including the World Cup matches that will take place in Santa Clara this summer.
Maintaining public safety and the enforcement of laws carries a profound responsibility to protect human life and uphold dignity, due process, and accountability. Strong communities depend on trust between residents and public institutions, and for these reasons, we have adopted a Resolution that Prohibits Use of City Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Related Policies to Provide Resources for City Property Owners, Businesses, and Residents.
During the Super Bowl and every day, the Santa Clara Police Department focuses solely on public safety and community protection. Our police officers do not engage in civil immigration enforcement. California state law reinforces this by prohibiting local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
With respect to Super Bowl LX which will be played in Santa Clara and related events that will occur across the Bay Area, we appreciate recent statements by federal officials indicating that there are no plans for immigration enforcement or an ICE deployment connected to any of the events.
Standing with Santa Clara’s diverse and immigrant communities is not only an act of solidarity-it is a clear declaration of our values and a statement to future generations that we chose courage, fairness, and hope when it mattered most.
We encourage residents and visitors to enjoy Super Bowl events responsibly and join us in standing with Santa Clara’s diverse and immigrant communities.
-The Santa Clara City Council
Policy Action from Local Jurisdictions in the Region
As directed by the City Council at the January 27, 2026 Council meeting, staff has reviewed the City of San Jose, Santa Clara County’s, and other recently adopted local policies regarding immigration enforcement activities. These policy actions are summarized in Attachment 3.
The majority of the reviewed policies focused on prohibiting access or use of the jurisdiction’s respective properties as a staging area, processing location, or operations base for federal civil immigration enforcement activities.
Draft Resolution to Adopt a City Council Policy 056
Using recently adopted policies by other jurisdictions as a starting point, with modifications and additions to tailor the policies for application in Santa Clara, a draft City Council Policy 056, Prohibiting Use of City Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Related Policies to Provide Resources for City Property Owners, Businesses, and Residents, was prepared and is attached for the Council’s consideration (Attachment 4).
The draft City Council Policy 056 includes the following key components:
• Prohibition on Use of City Facilities, Parking Lots, Garages, and Open Spaces. No City-owned or City-controlled facilities, parking lot, garage, or open space shall be used as a “Staging Area,” “Processing Location,” or “Operations Base” for civil immigration enforcement.
• Implementation and Enforcement. The City Manager will develop and implement a program to:
i. Identify City-owned or City-controlled properties.
ii. Post clear signage on such properties that indicate the prohibited immigration activities.
iii. Where necessary and appropriate, install physical barriers to discourage such activities.
iv. Provide a procedure for City employees to report any prohibited activities to the City Manager and City Attorney.
• Support for Private Property Owners, Businesses, and Residents. The City shall provide free electronic copy of standardized signage that private landowners and leaseholders could print and display to delineate the non-public areas of the property in which they wish to restrict activities related to civil immigration enforcement. Additionally, the City will make available to the public “know your rights materials” consistent with California law and California Attorney General guidance.
• Limitations on Scope. Similar to the other policies reviewed, Santa Clara’s proposed except as expressly provided, the Policy does not apply to:
i. Property that is subject to an existing lease, license, operator agreement, or other contractual restriction “Existing Contracts.”.
ii. Limit the execution of lawful judicial warrants or the enforcement of criminal law by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency,
iii. Limit the rights of any person or entity under state or federal law, or other lawful activities, including by other federal and state agencies and private entities or individuals.
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• Special provisions for Existing Stadium Contracts and Future Contracts.
i. City staff administering the Existing Contracts for the operation of the Stadium Authority owned Stadium Facilities shall meet and confer with the third parties to such contracts in order to develop mutually agreeable mechanisms that, to the extent possible, implement the terms of this Policy at Stadium Facilities. This shall be done in a manner that recognizes and maintains the strong working relationships and close coordination with all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that is necessary and integral to assuring the security and safety of all involved.
ii. For all other City-owned and controlled properties subject to Existing Contracts the City Manager shall provide notice of the existence of this Policy and shall request their concurrence with the terms of this Policy.
iii. For any future City agreements regarding City owned or controlled property, wherever possible and allowed by law, the City Manager shall direct that the use limitations set forth in this Policy be included in such agreements.
It should be noted that many items within the Implementation and Enforcement, and Support for Private Property Owners, Businesses and Residents sections in the draft Policy will require staffing/material resources and time to complete.
Other Items for Potential Future Consideration
The policy item before the City Council addresses immediate community concerns regarding potential immigration enforcement activities at City owned or controlled properties, including working with those managing the Super Bowl at the Stadium. However, the City Council may decide to direct staff to review additional items for future policy consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT
Should the City Council adopt the draft Resolution, there will be administrative costs to implement the policy and costs for the signage on City-owned or City-controlled properties and educational materials described above.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated between the City Manager’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Consider staff’s presentation on actions taken by other local agencies and possible City Council actions regarding immigration enforcement, and take action on a draft City Council Statement on Super Bowl Safety and Affirmation of Support for Immigrant Communities and draft Resolution to Adopt City Council Policy 056, Prohibiting Use of City Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Related Policies to Provide Resources for City Property Owners, Businesses, and Residents.
Staff
Prepared by: City Manager’s Office
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Communication from the Community
2. Draft Santa Clara City Council Statement on Super Bowl Safety and Affirmation of Support for Immigrant Communities
3. Summary of Recent Policy Action from Local Governments in the Region
4. Draft Resolution to Adopt City Council Policy 056