Cotati Limits City Cooperation with ICE in New Resolution

The move comes as local governments across Sonoma County grapple with Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement crackdown.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:57pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a municipal building in a small California town, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the facade and surrounding landscape.Cotati's new resolution to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities reflects a growing trend among local governments seeking to protect immigrant communities.Santa Rosa Today

The Cotati City Council has adopted a new resolution that limits how city personnel and law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The resolution reaffirms state laws that restrict local cooperation with ICE, protects residents' personal information, and requires the city to work with Sonoma County on a response plan should ICE carry out large-scale operations in the area.

Why it matters

Cotati's action is the latest in a series of similar measures adopted by local governments across Sonoma County to combat the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies. These resolutions aim to protect immigrant communities and reaffirm local values of inclusion and non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The details

The resolution prohibits the use of city property, resources, personnel, time, labor or funds for immigration enforcement. It also asserts that residents, regardless of immigration status, are not at risk when interacting with the city government, and that personal identifying information will be closely protected. The city also committed to maintaining an online immigration resource page and working with Sonoma County on a response plan should ICE carry out large-scale operations in the area.

  • The Cotati City Council adopted the resolution in a 4-0-1 vote on April 14, 2026.
  • Last month, the council and Community Police Advisory Committee had considered creating a resolution prohibiting ICE activity on all publicly-owned property.

The players

Cotati City Council

The governing body of the city of Cotati, California that voted to adopt the resolution limiting cooperation with ICE.

Damien O'Bid

The Cotati city manager who stated that the resolution is intended to protect the community.

Ben Ford

A Cotati City Council member who said the resolution is carefully crafted to focus on local issues and how the city will respond if something happens.

Laura Sparks

A Cotati City Council member who was absent from the vote due to a long-term leave of absence.

Sonoma County

The county that is establishing a blueprint outlining steps to take in conjunction with local service providers should ICE carry out a large-scale operation in the area.

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What they’re saying

“This resolution restates our values as a community. It is intended to protect the community.”

— Damien O'Bid, Cotati City Manager

“This resolution is carefully crafted to be focused on local issues, which is what? How our city will respond if something happens here.”

— Ben Ford, Cotati City Council Member

What’s next

The city manager and other city staff will work with Sonoma County to establish a blueprint outlining steps to take in conjunction with local service providers, should ICE carry out a large-scale operation in the area.

The takeaway

Cotati's resolution is the latest in a series of measures adopted by local governments across Sonoma County to protect immigrant communities and limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities in the face of the Trump administration's aggressive enforcement policies. These actions reaffirm local values of inclusion and non-cooperation with ICE.