Press Conference on City of Refuge Ordinance
2026-07-20 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
COUNCILMEMBER AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE CHAIR CHARLENE WANG AND COUNCILMEMBER NOEL GALLO ANNOUNCE CRITICAL “CITY OF REFUGE” ORDINANCE UPDATE AMID FEDERAL IMMIGRATION SURGES
Press conference scheduled for Monday, July 20 at Fruitvale Village ahead of the historic final City Council vote on Tuesday, July 21.
OAKLAND, CA — On Monday, July 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Councilmembers Wang and Gallo will be joined by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, faith leaders, community advocates, and fellow City Council leaders at Fruitvale Village to announce a comprehensive update to Oakland’s historic “City of Refuge” Ordinance. Developed in partnership with Faith in Action East Bay and Councilmembers Noel Gallo and Ken Houston, this timely legislative package strengthens and codifies Oakland’s sanctuary protections, shielding local families from federal surges in immigration enforcement.
The press conference comes just one day before the Oakland City Council convenes for a final, decisive vote on the ordinance, scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 3:30 PM at City Hall.
Recent data highlights rising statewide immigration detention rates, severely impacting Oakland neighborhoods. In areas like Fruitvale and East Oakland, the climate of fear triggered a 57% increase in English-learner school absences during the 2025-2026 school year and a 20-30% drop in local commerce, as residents avoid public spaces out of fear of federal operations.
The updated ordinance safeguards resident data privacy by restricting the collection of immigration status on applications, explicitly prohibits the use of city resources or police personnel to assist in civil immigration enforcement, and bars ICE agents from entering non-public areas of city facilities without a valid judicial warrant.
“Oakland has stood as a beacon of safety and refuge for forty years, but recent federal overreach demands that we fortify our laws,” said Councilmember Wang. “When our neighbors are afraid to send their children to school or shop at local businesses, our entire city suffers. By working hand-in-hand with Faith in Action, and ordinance co-sponsors, Mayor Lee, Councilmember Gallo, and Councilmember Houston, we are putting forward a legal framework that keeps families together and ensures local police focus on local safety—not federal documentation status. We urge the community to stand with us this Tuesday to cross the finish line.”
Press Conference Details
WHAT: Press Conference announcing the updated “City of Refuge” Ordinance
WHO: Mayor Lee, Councilmember Wang, Councilmember Noel Gallo, Councilmember Ken Houston, Faith in Action East Bay, community leaders, and impacted families.
WHEN: Monday, July 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Fruitvale Village (Outdoor Plaza at Fountain), 3301 E 12th St, Oakland, CA 94601

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