Council Advances ICE Free Zone, Corporate Land Grab Ban

Richmond's City Council tackled a sweeping agenda Feb. 4 that put immigration enforcement, housing affordability, and a World War II-era warship at the center of a nearly six-hour session. The council directed staff to draft an ICE Free Zone ordinance within 45 days, ordered a legal evaluation of banning corporate residential property purchases, and delayed a $300,000 study to relocate the Red Oak Victory ship — all while police officers demanded a new contract and homeless program participants warned they face eviction because the city hasn't paid their rent.

• Council directs staff to draft ICE Free Zone ordinance within 45 days, building on Richmond's existing sanctuary city policy

• $299,797 Red Oak Victory ship relocation study delayed two months amid cost and funding concerns

• City attorney ordered to evaluate ban on corporate purchases of single-family homes and small residential properties

• Police officers' association demands competitive contract and return of two officers on administrative leave

• Homeless program landlord says city owes $56,000 in unpaid rent; participants report eviction notices

• Cannabis sector review authorized to address struggling licensed retailers and unlicensed competition

Why it matters: Richmond already holds sanctuary city status, but this ordinance would create specific, enforceable protections — designating city-owned properties as off-limits for federal immigration enforcement staging, requiring signage, establishing staff training and reporting protocols, and building emergency preparedness plans. The action comes as federal immigration raids in the Bay Area have escalated and rattled communities across the region.