photo credit: Department of Homeland Security

Santa Rosa city leaders recently considered how federal immigration enforcement could play out here. 

The discussion comes after a series of high‑profile federal operations nationwide, which have sparked protests and renewed debate about oversight and accountability.

"Santa Rosa joins so many cities across the United States to talk about what's going on at the federal level regarding immigration enforcement, what's happened in other cities," said Santa Rosa's mayor Mark Stapp at Tuesday's council meeting. "So, we're glad to see so many of you make the time to come out this afternoon."

Leaders of Sonoma County's largest city have been mulling over how to respond should Santa Rosa see a similar surge of federal immigration enforcement actions.

Tuesday's conversation was further spurred by council member Victoria Fleming.

"Folks are here because across the country, we are seeing federal immigration enforcement take on an increasingly aggressive and militarized posture," Fleming said. "Communities are afraid, families are anxious, and trust in public institutions is being strained."

Fleming recently penned a letter to constituents calling for the city to limit cooperation with ICE, including a call for federal immigration officers to be made to present a judicial warrant to access municipal resources.

"Cities have both the right and the responsibility to decide how their property, personnel, and communications are used; and as leaders, we have responsibility to do everything in our power to protect civil rights, preserve public trust, and ensure that the people of the City of Santa Rosa feel safe here at home," Fleming said.

Santa Rosa city council members are also looking at related issues, including the city's automatic license plate reader camera array.

While state and city policy prohibits data sharing with ICE, cities like Santa Cruz and Richmond have suspended use of license plate readers over concerns that federal officials could illegally access the systems.

No action was taken this week, but Santa Rosa's city council is expected to consider specific next steps at a future meeting.