Richmond Approves ICE-Free Zones, $99M in Youth Funding

City leaders take steps to protect immigrant communities and extend critical youth programming.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:41am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, painterly scene of a park bench in a sunlit urban setting, conveying a sense of refuge and community in the face of heightened immigration enforcement.Richmond's new ICE-free zones and extended youth funding aim to create a sense of safety and community for the city's diverse residents.Richmond Today

The Richmond City Council unanimously approved creating 'ICE-free zones' on city property to ban federal immigration enforcement activities, as well as extending $99 million in funding for the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth through 2037-28. The moves aim to strengthen protections for the city's large immigrant population and ensure long-term support for local youth programs.

Why it matters

Richmond has long been a sanctuary city, but leaders say they want to be further prepared if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increases activities in the area. The new ICE-free zones and extended youth funding demonstrate the city's commitment to supporting immigrant communities and providing critical resources for young people.

The details

The ICE-free zone ordinance bans the use of city-owned or -operated property as a staging, processing or operational base for civil immigration enforcement. Police will ask ICE officers to leave if they are found on city property. The $99 million in youth funding will support programs focused on violence prevention, arts and culture, mental health, and job training through local nonprofits. The funding was set to expire in 2028 but will now continue through 2037-28.

  • The ICE-free zone ordinance was unanimously approved by the Richmond City Council on April 9, 2026.
  • The ordinance must be adopted in a second reading on April 21, 2026 before taking effect 30 days later.
  • The $99 million in youth funding was also unanimously approved by the City Council on April 9, 2026.

The players

Richmond City Council

The governing body of the city of Richmond, California that approved the ICE-free zones and extended youth funding.

Claudia Jimenez

Richmond City Council member who co-sponsored the ICE-free zone ordinance with Vice Mayor Doria Robinson.

Tim Simmons

Richmond Police Chief who stated officers would ask ICE agents to leave city property if found there.

Ruthie Dineen

Executive director of the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, which has received funding from the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth.

Eduardo Martinez

Mayor of Richmond who raised questions about two organizations receiving youth funding that fell within 'explicitly prohibited categories.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We may think that nothing is happening; things are happening. This is a good way to strengthen [the] power of what we can do to protect our community.”

— Claudia Jimenez, Richmond City Council member

“Pretty plain and simply.”

— Tim Simmons, Richmond Police Chief

“These are really important safe spaces, activities for them. I'm a licensed clinical social worker; it doesn't take a license to understand the importance of safe spaces for our youth.”

— Ruthie Dineen, Executive director, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts

“It may fail considering the environment that we're in and all the demands on people's money. I want to protect this work, and I want to protect the impact.”

— Doria Robinson, Richmond Vice Mayor

What’s next

The ICE-free zone ordinance must be adopted in a second reading by the Richmond City Council on April 21, 2026 before taking effect 30 days later.

The takeaway

Richmond's actions to create ICE-free zones and extend critical youth funding demonstrate the city's commitment to protecting immigrant communities and investing in the next generation. These measures aim to provide a safe haven and vital resources for residents amid a climate of heightened immigration enforcement.