ICE-free zones and canceled liquor licenses: US cities fight back against immigration raids

"Several cities, counties and states across the country are creating ICE-free zones by restricting immigration agents' access to government-owned and public spaces. Local officials say this makes it safer for residents to visit hospitals, courthouses, public parks and other critical spaces without fear of ICE. While these restrictions are unable to completely bar immigration agents from operating on government property, they make it easier for officials to potentially sue agents who do enter."

"This strategy harkens back to the 1980s, when some cities designated themselves sanctuary cities to affirm that they would protect newly arrived migrants and refugees and not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. In October last year, amid the Department of Homeland Security's Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago, Brandon Johnson, the city's mayor, created an ICE-free zone through an executive order."

Cities across the United States are creating ICE-free zones by restricting immigration agents' access to government-owned and public spaces. Local officials aim to make hospitals, courthouses, public parks and other critical spaces safer for residents without fear of ICE presence. The restrictions do not fully bar federal agents from operating on government property but can strengthen grounds for lawsuits against agents who enter. The strategy echoes sanctuary-city measures from the 1980s that pledged not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Several jurisdictions including Chicago, Oakland, San Jose, Richmond, Los Angeles County, Washtenaw County, Providence, New York City and New Jersey have taken similar actions.

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