MARTINEZ — An anti-ICE cooperation policy was adopted by supervisors Tuesday, bringing Contra Costa County in line with other Bay Area jurisdictions after more than a year of deliberation.

The unanimously approved policy prohibits the use of county resources for assisting federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials with immigration operations unless presented with a judicial warrant, and requires staff to direct requests to legal counsel or designated staff.

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The policy largely incorporates a model released July 1 by state Attorney General Rob Bonta, as required by Senate Bill 580, a law approved by the state legislature in 2025. That law also requires local jurisdictions to adopt the policy or something equivalent by the start of 2027.

Several other Bay Area jurisdictions have similar policies or ordinances in place, including the counties of San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz; the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, San Jose, Richmond, Pinole, and Antioch; and the West Contra Costa Unified School District.

A sticking point for supervisors has been whether the guidance should be adopted as a policy or ordinance. Community members and advocates had argued an ordinance would provide stronger protections but County Counsel Tom Geiger said enforcement would look the same under either model. County employees who violate a policy or ordinance face disciplinary actions.

The main difference between the two approaches would be the amount of time required to implement. A policy can take effect immediately, while an ordinance would require approval at two public meetings before taking effect after a 30-day wait period.

Supervisor John Gioia argued that delay would be a positive defense against future bodies that may want to change the ordinance.

Passing an ordinance instead of a policy would also act as a symbol of the county’s support for the community’s requests, said Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, who spent a year working on an anti-cooperation proposal with board Vice Chair Ken Carlson as members of the Equity Committee.

“For a year and a half, they’ve been showing up advocating, advocating, advocating. And so at this point, there’s nothing stopping us from moving forward with an ordinance. But ourselves,” Scales-Preston said.

Their motion failed, prompting boos in the chambers. Carlson, Board Chair Diane Burgis and Supervisor Candace Anderson cast votes against adopting the protections as an ordinance, favoring a policy which they said could be more swiftly amended if necessary.

Following the unanimous vote for adopting a policy instead, Gioia and Scales-Preston defended their colleagues by noting the board had what Gioia called a “rigorous debate” before ultimately landing on a “positive outcome.”

“We voted unanimously for what was the substance of what advocates wanted, that I think provides a clear message and protection,” Gioia said. “So I would hope that those who feel strongly about this and are great advocates, don’t see this as a loss, and don’t see this as all or nothing.”