Davis approves sanctuary city ordinance, discusses other immigrant protections
For nearly four decades, Davis has declared itself a sanctuary city through a series of resolutions. On Tuesday, the City Council voted unanimously to turn those policies into law.
The decision comes weeks after federal immigration operations in Minneapolis and other cities heightened fears among immigrant communities nationwide, prompting renewed calls in some California communities to reaffirm local protections.
The ordinance, which still requires a second reading to pass, prohibits the use of city resources or staff to assist with immigration enforcement except as required by a judicial warrant or state law. It also bars the city from collecting information about residents’ citizenship status, allowing city property to be used for immigration enforcement activities, or entering into agreements with immigration officials.
The potential consequences on Davis’ finances is unclear, according to the staff report, though officials said it was expected to have limited impact on city governance.
Sanctuary policies have existed in some California cities for decades, long before they became a national political flashpoint. Sacramento, for example, declared itself a sanctuary city in 1985, one of the first jurisdictions in the country to do so.
Davis receives substantial federal funding, however, and the federal government has previously threatened to take action against sanctuary cities by withholding funds.
Courts have rebuffed those attempts so far, but “the legal landscape continues to evolve,” the staff report says. “As a result, any potential impact on federal grants or funding received by the city cannot be determined at this time.”
From resolution to ordinance
Codifying sanctuary city policies in an ordinance would make them legally enforceable, unlike a council resolution. Davis passed its first sanctuary city resolution in 1986 and adopted additional resolutions in 2007 and 2014. In 2017, California passed Senate Bill 54, which bars police from supporting immigration enforcement.
The move from resolution to ordinance was suggested by the city’s Human Relations Commission, an advisory board focused on equity and nondiscrimination. The commission created a framework outlining what members wanted included in a sanctuary city ordinance, then worked with the city attorney and police chief to draft it.
The ordinance approved by the City Council adheres to most of the Human Relations Commission’s framework but omits some provisions that city staff say are already covered by state law and others they believe could create legal risks for city officials.
The Human Relations Commission requested permission to draft a sanctuary city ordinance at its January meeting. The city had expected the commission to recommend updates to the language of the existing sanctuary city resolution.
“We did not anticipate or understand that an ordinance would be something the commission would be looking at,” Assistant City Manager Kelly Stachowicz said during a council meeting last month.
About two weeks later, the City Council approved the request and directed staff to assist with drafting the ordinance. The prospect of a sanctuary city ordinance prompted a flood of public comments in support, Mayor Donna Neville said at a February council meeting.
“These are terrifying times,” Neville said. “I’m so appreciative of all the community engagement and your interest in this issue.”
Other recommendations
The Human Relations Commission also shared a slate of recommendations aimed at making Davis safer and more welcoming for immigrants at Tuesday’s council meeting. The recommendations had already been reviewed by city staff, who provided responses for the council to consider and discuss.
The recommendations include creating a legal defense fund for undocumented residents, limiting city business with companies that share information with the federal government, forming a city task force to respond quickly to immigration enforcement activities, expanding access to “know your rights” trainings, strengthening multilingual resources and finding ways for the city to demonstrate solidarity with the immigrant community.
City staff said several of the recommendations fall within the Human Relations Commission’s existing responsibilities. Officials also pushed back on the idea of creating a legal defense fund because of the city’s budget deficit.
Further research is needed on the cost and benefits of expanding the city’s translation services, including providing simultaneous translation during public meetings, according to the staff report.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 2:33 PM.
