Immigration Policy in Berkeley, CA (2026)
2 verified immigration policy rules for Berkeley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sanctuary Policy Preemption
Berkeley declared itself a sanctuary city in 1971 for Vietnam War draft resisters and has expanded the policy ever since, prohibiting city employees and police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement except as state law requires.
Berkeley Sanctuary City Since 1971
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Government Code § 7284 (California Values Act, SB 54, 2017)
DIVISION 7. MISCELLANEOUS [6000 - 7599.200]. CHAPTER 17.25. Cooperation with Immigration Authorities [7284 - 7284.12] (Chapter 17.25 added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 495, Sec. 3.). 7284. This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Values Act. (Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 495, Sec. 3. (SB 54) Effective January 1, 2018.)
E-Verify Mandates
Berkeley does not require private employers to use the federal E-Verify system, and California Labor Code section 2814 forbids cities and employers from mandating E-Verify beyond what federal law specifically requires.
Berkeley E-Verify Stance and State Limits
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Labor Code § 2814 (AB 622, 2015 — restrictions on E-Verify use)
2814. (a) (1) Except as required by federal law or as a condition of receiving federal funds, it is unlawful for an employer, or any other person or entity to use the federal electronic employment verification system known as E-Verify to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant who has not been offered employment. (c) In addition to other remedies availa...
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berkeley city rules.
Immigration Policy in Alameda County →