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Advocacy group Fixin’ SMC on Tuesday unveiled an accountability plan aimed at limiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s ability to detain local residents.
“We are searching for accountability for our community,” said RJ Jennings, a board member of the nonprofit, which focuses on oversight of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
During an online meeting, activist and attorney Amaris Leon discussed sheriffs’ authority over immigration enforcement and the role local law enforcement can play in supporting or resisting federal immigration actions.
“Given what we’ve seen nationally, our focus is on how sheriffs can either advance ICE’s prerogative or help defend communities against them,” Leon said, citing recent national backlash over immigration enforcement operations.
The group’s proposal calls for denying ICE access to local jails without a judicial warrant, prohibiting the sharing of personal information with the agency and ensuring that immigrants are informed of their rights while in custody.
“ICE can only enter the jail with the approval of the sheriff or the warden,” Leon said. “Without a signed judicial warrant, ICE cannot enter.”
Refusing to cooperate with ICE has been the recent policy among the county’s previous sheriffs.
ICE has actively sought information in San Mateo County, requesting information on more than 800 immigrant detainees through November 2025; however, the Sheriff’s Office did not comply with any of those requests.
The plan also urges the Sheriff’s Office to formally refuse participation in the federal 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with ICE. Participation in the program is voluntary under the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act.
Fixin’ SMC also called for the creation of a permanent inspector general to increase oversight and transparency within the Sheriff’s Office. The organization said a ballot measure may be necessary to establish the position in San Mateo County.
While ICE is expected to release comprehensive arrest data for 2025 later this year, at least 45 immigrants were arrested between September and October, according to available figures. Additional data has not yet been released.
Fixin’ SMC expressed support for San Mateo County Sheriff Kenneth Binder, who was appointed by the Board of Supervisors last year following the tenure of former Sheriff Christina Corpus. The group said Binder has publicly opposed cooperation with ICE.
“Binder has publicly stated that his values align with honoring San Mateo County as a sanctuary county, and that his policies will reflect that,” Leon said.
Board member Nancy Goodman said the group views its efforts as collaborative rather than adversarial.
“We are glad we have a new sheriff,” Goodman said. “Oversight is something you do with the sheriff, not to the sheriff.”
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