San Francisco, CA Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Admin. Code Ch. 12H
- Adopted
- Ord. 375-89, 1989
- Core rule
- No city funds aid ICE enforcement
- Oversight
- Human Rights Commission
- Related chapter
- Ch. 12I civil detainers
Summary
San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 12H declares the city a City and County of Refuge and bars city staff from using city funds to assist federal immigration enforcement.
It is hereby affirmed that the City and County of San Francisco is a City and County of Refuge. ... No department, agency, commission, officer, or employee of the City and County of San Francisco shall use any City funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of Federal immigration law or to gather or disseminate information regarding release status of individuals or any other such personal information...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Admin. Code § 12H.1, San Francisco is affirmed as a City and County of Refuge. Section 12H.2 bars every city department, agency, commission, officer, and employee from using city funds or resources to assist federal immigration enforcement or to gather or share information about a person's release status, unless assistance is required by federal or state statute, regulation, or court decision: including a bar on assisting ICE detention or arrest procedures for civil immigration violations, subject to the narrow exception in Chapter 12I § 12I.3 for cooperation on serious criminal offenses.
Violations & Fines
City employees who fail to comply are subject to appropriate disciplinary action (§ 12H.3); the Human Rights Commission reviews department compliance and investigates noncompliance complaints under § 12H.4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco a sanctuary city by local law?
Can SF police help ICE with a civil immigration arrest?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California immigration policy overview
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