Immigration Policy in Oakland, CA (2026)
2 verified immigration policy rules for Oakland, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sanctuary Policy Preemption
Oakland bars the city from signing, renewing, or amending contracts with any vendor that supplies ICE, CBP, or HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement with data-broker, extreme-vetting, or immigration-detention-facility services, and bars city investment in those companies. Waivers require a written finding that no compliant alternative exists, under Municipal Code Chapter 2.23, the Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ordinance.
Oakland Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ban
Significant RestrictionsOakland, CA, Code of Ordinances § 2.23.030(A)-(B)
A. General Prohibition. The City shall not enter into a new contract or amend or extend an existing contract with any contractor that provides Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS/ORR) with any "data broker," "extreme vetting," or "detention facilities" services, as def...
E-Verify Mandates
Oakland does not require private employers to use the federal E-Verify system. California Labor Code section 2814 limits employer use of E-Verify beyond federal mandates, and Oakland sanctuary policy bars city departments from compelling immigration verification beyond federal I-9 requirements.
E-Verify and Immigration Status in Hiring
Some 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 Oakland city rules.
Immigration Policy in Alameda County →