County commissioners adopt resolution barring ICE from entering county buildings without judicial warrant

Commissioner Gil moved a resolution instructing county departments not to permit Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to enter any county-owned or -leased building “without a judicial, warrant,” saying the policy is intended to preserve community trust and ensure county resources focus on local priorities.

The resolution, presented by Commissioner Gil, cites consistency with the state attorney general’s immigration trust directive and a governor’s executive order issued Feb. 11, 2026. “This is a resolution that would prohibit ICE … from entering any Essex County owned or leased building, without a judicial, warrant,” Gil said, urging adoption to codify county practice.

Supporters said the policy clarifies county interactions with federal civil immigration enforcement and aims to prevent the use of county facilities as staging or processing locations without judicial authorization. Commissioner Seibold asked to be included as a co-sponsor; the chair said the resolution would be adopted by acclamation.

The board adopted the package of resolutions, including the ICE limitation, by acclamation. Commissioner Gil said the measure was drafted with the county counsel and framed as a statement of operational practice rather than a change to criminal law.

The resolution does not alter federal immigration enforcement authority and applies to county access to county-owned or -leased property. The board did not record a separate roll-call tally in the discussion for this item; the package was adopted as presented. The resolution will be filed with the board clerk and is effective upon adoption.