SLO County Supervisors Propose Aiding Anti-ICE Groups

Board to consider donating funds, restricting ICE access to county facilities

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:47pm

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After a lengthy public meeting, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors agreed to have staff explore options to support the undocumented immigrant community, including prohibiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from entering the county jail lobby, donating funds to nonprofits that assist undocumented immigrants, and requiring increased reporting from the sheriff's office on interactions with ICE.

Why it matters

The supervisors' actions reflect growing tensions between local governments and federal immigration enforcement, as well as concerns about the impact of ICE activities on immigrant communities. Their proposals aim to limit ICE's presence and access in the county while providing aid to undocumented residents.

The details

The meeting began with Sheriff Ian Parkinson explaining his office's interactions with ICE, noting that he is required to comply with federal laws. Supervisor Bruce Gibson proposed making the jail lobby a private space to allow protesters to interact with ICE agents. Dozens of speakers condemned ICE and the sheriff's office, while a smaller group supported the sheriff. The supervisors ultimately voted unanimously to have an ad hoc committee work with staff to develop options for supporting the undocumented immigrant community, including providing funds to nonprofits and restricting ICE access to county facilities.

  • In 2025, ICE agents picked up 16 undocumented immigrants in the lobby of the San Luis Obispo County jail.

The players

Ian Parkinson

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff who explained his office's interactions with ICE.

Bruce Gibson

A San Luis Obispo County Supervisor who proposed making the jail lobby a private space to allow protesters to interact with ICE agents.

Jimmy Paulding

A San Luis Obispo County Supervisor who suggested giving funds to organizations working to help immigrants.

Dawn Ortiz-Legg

A San Luis Obispo County Supervisor who spoke of her Latino heritage and the need to work together to support the immigrant community.

John Peschong

A San Luis Obispo County Supervisor who spoke of the impact on families when a parent is arrested by ICE and suggested providing help through social services.

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What they’re saying

“If I have someone in custody with a prior felony and ICE wants them, I cannot harbor them.”

— Ian Parkinson, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff

“We are up against something with vast resources. We can't just react. We need to work together.”

— Dawn Ortiz-Legg, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor

“Most important thing is what we do for immigrant community members under attack.”

— Dawn Ortiz-Legg, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor

What’s next

The supervisors voted unanimously to have an Ad Hoc committee of Supervisors Paulding and Ortiz-Legg work with staff to develop options regarding support of the undocumented immigrant community, which will then be brought to the full board for consideration.

The takeaway

The San Luis Obispo County Supervisors' actions reflect the growing tensions between local governments and federal immigration enforcement, as they seek to limit ICE's presence and access in the county while providing aid to undocumented residents who feel under attack.