County of Marin's Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging
Marin County has always been strengthened by the people who call this place home. Our immigrant communities are an essential part of the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our county. They are workers, parents, students, business owners, neighbors, and community leaders whose contributions help make Marin a vibrant and resilient place.
In January 2025, the Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming our commitment to democracy, inclusion, belonging, equity, and the rule of law. The resolution affirmed that every member of our community deserves safety, security, dignity, and respect, regardless of race, gender identity, religion, age, ability, sexual orientation, or immigration status. It also recognized the uncertainty many communities face amid changing federal policies and reaffirmed the County's responsibility to uphold democratic values and support all residents.
Those principles continue to guide my office and inform my work as a Marin County Supervisor.
Supporting Immigrant Families Through Uncertain Times
The safety and well-being of immigrant families remain a priority for my office. While federal immigration enforcement is outside the authority of local government, I believe we have a responsibility to ensure that residents understand their rights, can access services and legal support, and know that their local government is working proactively to protect the health, safety, and stability of our communities.
These are unprecedented times, when local governments, schools, nonprofit organizations, legal service providers, and community partners are actively preparing for the possibility of large-scale federal enforcement actions that could impact families throughout our region. I have supported a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to these challenges.
Investments, Preparedness, and Community Partnerships
Over the past two years, Marin County has made significant investments to support immigrant communities.
- In June 2025, the Board of Supervisors authorized $500,000 to expand legal services, family support programs, and emergency assistance. In March 2026, the County approved an additional $500,000 to continue and strengthen those efforts. During the June 2026 budget hearings, the Board allocated another $500,000 for immigration-related services and support. Together, these investments represent a $1.5 million commitment to protecting and supporting immigrant families throughout Marin County.
- Beyond these dedicated allocations, multiple County departments continue to invest resources in immigration legal response and defense, community education, know-your-rights trainings, family preparedness workshops, outreach efforts, and direct support programs designed to connect residents with trusted information and services.
- Marin County's Public Defender immigration attorneys are representing local residents in federal court, including obtaining relief through habeas corpus litigation that has secured the release of Marin County residents from immigration detention facilities.
- At the same time, County departments have prioritized preparedness. Staff have received training on how to respond if federal immigration agents approach County facilities, and departments have established protocols for response, documentation, notification, and coordination. These efforts help ensure that County employees understand their responsibilities, protect residents' rights, and respond consistently and appropriately in situations involving federal immigration enforcement activity.
- The County is also working closely with trusted community nonprofit partners that serve immigrant communities every day. Through these partnerships, we are improving coordination, conducting tabletop planning exercises, identifying service gaps, and developing response and recovery strategies designed to support families before, during, and after enforcement actions. While much of this work occurs outside public meetings, it is essential to ensure that services remain available and communities remain connected during times of uncertainty.
- A critical component of this effort is our partnership with the Marin Rapid Response Network. The Rapid Response Network provides a 24-hour hotline, connects families with legal and community resources, and trains volunteers to document immigration enforcement activity. Accurate documentation and verification are essential during periods of heightened enforcement activity, helping community members receive reliable information, understand their rights, and ensure that enforcement actions are properly observed and recorded.
Regional Coordination
Marin County is also an active participant in Belonging in the Bay, a coalition of twelve Bay Area counties working together to share information, coordinate strategies, and prepare for potential impacts of federal immigration enforcement actions. Through this partnership, local governments, community leaders, emergency managers, legal experts, and service providers are learning from one another and from jurisdictions across the country that have already experienced significant enforcement activity.
Some community members may not be aware of this work because many of these coordination efforts occur through intergovernmental and operational meetings that are not open to the general public. Similar to emergency preparedness, disaster response, or public health planning, these forums allow jurisdictions to share legal guidance, discuss best practices, evaluate response protocols, and coordinate resources in real time. While these meetings are not public policy hearings, they are focused on many of the same goals that community advocates and nonprofit organizations are working toward: protecting immigrant families, strengthening local preparedness, improving coordination, and ensuring access to services and support.
Responding to Federal Actions
Supporting immigrant communities requires more than preparing for enforcement actions after they occur. It also means defending local decision-making, protecting access to essential services, preserving federal funding for Marin County residents, and ensuring that all levels of government operate within the rule of law. Throughout the past two years, I have supported a proactive approach that combines local investments, state advocacy, legal action, and regional collaboration.
At the state level, I have supported county legislation and budget priorities that strengthen protections for immigrant families. The Board supported Assemblymember Damon Connolly's AB 419 to expand Know Your Rights education in public schools and urged the Legislature to preserve Full Scope Medi-Cal for residents with unsatisfactory immigration status during state budget negotiations. We have also opposed changes to federal "public charge" rules that would discourage families from accessing healthcare and other essential services.
Marin County has also taken legal action to defend local authority and protect critical federal funding. Alongside counties and cities across the country, we have joined multiple federal lawsuits challenging attempts to withhold federal funding from local governments based on immigration policies or impose unlawful federal conditions on grants that support housing, transportation, emergency management, and other essential public services.
Most recently, in June 2026, I supported Marin County's decision to join an amicus brief opposing the proposed ICE detention facility near Gilroy. The brief argues that the project failed to comply with required legal review processes and highlights the significant impacts that expanded immigration detention can have on community trust, public safety, families, and local economies throughout the Bay Area.
These actions reflect a broader commitment to using every appropriate tool available: policy advocacy, strategic investments, partnerships, and the courts, to protect immigrant families, defend local autonomy, and uphold the rule of law. Regardless of changes at the federal level, I remain committed to ensuring Marin County is prepared, compassionate, and steadfast in protecting the dignity and well-being of all who call our community home.
Protecting Privacy and Public Trust
Supporting immigrant communities also means ensuring that government systems respect privacy, protect civil rights, and maintain public trust. As new technologies emerge, local governments must carefully evaluate how law enforcement and public agencies collect, store, share, and use information.
I have consistently supported a cautious and transparent approach to law enforcement data systems and emerging surveillance technologies. In May 2026, I raised concerns regarding a proposed county contract with Peregrine Technologies, a platform designed to integrate information from multiple law enforcement agencies into a centralized data-sharing system. My concerns focused on data governance, privacy protections, transparency, and the potential for future expansion of surveillance capabilities beyond their original purpose.
Specifically, I asked questions about where data would be stored, who would have access to it, whether information could be shared outside Marin County, and what safeguards would exist to prevent "function creep" through future integration with technologies such as automated license plate readers, facial recognition systems, or other forms of surveillance. These concerns are particularly important for immigrant communities and other historically marginalized populations, who can be disproportionately affected when government data systems lack sufficient oversight and accountability.
I believe Marin County must carefully balance public safety objectives with the protection of civil liberties, individual privacy, and community trust. Any technology that expands government access to personal information should be subject to rigorous public review, clear safeguards, strong data security standards, and ongoing oversight.
Transparency and Ongoing Commitment
This work remains ongoing and continues to evolve. The federal landscape is changing rapidly, and as conditions change, we are adjusting our strategies, partnerships, and priorities to meet emerging needs. There is no single solution, and no local government has a complete roadmap for responding to the challenges we face today. What I can say is that Marin County has dedicated staff, nonprofit partners, legal advocates, educators, community leaders, and local jurisdictions working every day to support immigrant families and prepare for whatever may come next.
I also recognize that we can do a better job communicating about this work. Much of the County's effort is taking place in partnership with nonprofit service providers and regional government coalitions that are coordinating strategies, sharing information, and planning responses. Because this work often happens outside of public meetings, many residents may not see the full scope of what is underway. One purpose of this statement is to provide greater transparency about the investments, partnerships, planning efforts, and ongoing work that I believe residents should know about.
Accountability and Independent Oversight
Building trust with immigrant communities also requires confidence that local law enforcement agencies operate transparently, fairly, and accountably. For that reason, I supported Marin County's efforts to establish independent civilian oversight of the Sheriff's Office. In 2024, the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance creating both a Civilian Oversight Commission and an Office of the Inspector General. These bodies were developed through extensive community engagement, including public surveys, listening sessions, focus groups, and outreach to communities that have historically been underrepresented in government decision-making processes.
The Civilian Oversight Commission and Office of the Inspector General are designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in law enforcement. Their responsibilities include reviewing Sheriff's Office policies, practices, training, and completed complaints; developing an independent complaint process; conducting community outreach; issuing public reports; and making recommendations for improvements. The Inspector General and Commission also have authority to independently review concerns and, when appropriate under state law, utilize investigative tools to ensure meaningful oversight.
Centering the Voices of Impacted Communities
It is important that these discussions remain grounded in the voices of the people most directly affected by immigration enforcement actions. As a policymaker, my responsibility is not only to listen to advocates and organizations, but also to immigrant families, workers, students, and community members whose lives are impacted every day by federal immigration policies. I am hearing that people need support for legal defense, family stability, emergency financial assistance, housing, food security, mental health support, education, and ensuring that people understand and can exercise their rights. The voices of impacted immigrant communities must be at the center of any policy discussions that would impact them.
How Community Members Can Help
For community members who are concerned and want to help, my strongest recommendation is to connect directly with the nonprofit organizations that are serving immigrant families every day. Ask them what they need. Learn about the challenges they are seeing on the ground. Volunteer your time, contribute resources, attend trainings, support legal defense efforts, and help raise funds for organizations providing direct services. The most effective support often comes through trusted community organizations that have long-standing relationships with the families they serve.
Moving Forward Together
The federal landscape continues to change rapidly, creating uncertainty and fear for many immigrant families and communities. New executive actions, litigation, policy changes, and enforcement priorities can emerge with little warning, making it essential that local governments remain informed, prepared, and responsive.
In moments like these, it is more important than ever to hold fast to the values that define Marin County: dignity, inclusion, belonging, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. This requires partnerships among local governments, schools, nonprofit organizations, legal advocates, faith communities, businesses, and residents working together in support of one another. Time and again, Marin has demonstrated that our greatest strength is our willingness to come together during difficult times.
Marin County's values are clear. We are committed to dignity, inclusion, belonging, democracy, and equal treatment under the law. My office remains committed to working proactively, collaboratively, and compassionately alongside nonprofit partners, local jurisdictions, community advocates, and immigrant residents to ensure that everyone in Marin County feels safe, supported, and valued.
Updated June 25, 2026