Dozens of protesters crowded the sidewalk outside the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas yesterday, accusing Santa Clara County correctional deputies of standing by while ICE agents grab people the moment they walk out of jail. Organizers held up 46 “missing” signs, one for each person they say was taken, and demanded that county supervisors adopt rules to stop the practice. Chants, drums, and sage smoke filled the area as families and advocates pressed officials for policy changes.
Organizers Say County Release Lists Help ICE Zero In
Activists from Silicon Valley De‑Bug and other local groups argue that deputies are making it far too easy for federal agents to intercept people being released, calling Elmwood a hot spot for ICE pickups. As reported by KTVU, organizer Xavier España called the county's hands‑off stance "dishonorable," while Darcie Green said people are being taken into the jaws of ICE instead of going home to their families.
Sheriff's Office Says It Cannot Block Other Agencies
In a June 24 press release, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said it does not give ICE advance notice of releases, does not enforce civil immigration detainers and will only comply with valid arrest warrants and court orders. The office noted that daily release lists and an online inmate locator are publicly available tools and said deputies cannot legally stop another law enforcement agency from acting in public areas.
Numbers Do Not Quite Match Up
Protesters said they counted 46 people taken by ICE since June, a figure cited at the demonstration and reported by KTVU. Local reporting shows different totals. San José Spotlight reported that the sheriff's office had acknowledged 27 reported instances at Elmwood over the same period. The gap underscores how advocates and officials are relying on different datasets and definitions when they count ICE activity at county facilities.
Legal Backdrop And Policy Tensions
The county says it is operating under California's Values Act (SB 54), which restricts local cooperation with civil immigration enforcement, and argues that publishing release information is part of basic public transparency. Activists counter that transparency does not have to mean handing ICE a playbook for pickups, and local Spanish‑language coverage quoted organizers urging supervisors to adopt practical safeguards, according to Telemundo.
What Advocates Want To See Next
Organizers said they plan to keep the pressure on county leaders and urged supervisors to consider policy changes that would limit how much release information is posted or add screening measures at Elmwood, a demand reported by San José Spotlight. County officials say state law and public records practices restrict their options, but advocates expect the fight to move onto supervisor agendas and into ongoing community oversight efforts.
