San Francisco officials are pressing the federal government to end Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s use of a downtown city‑owned garage. The Golden Gateway garage, operated by private firm IMCO Parking, has housed ICE vehicles for at least a year, a fact the city says violates its sanctuary statutes.
Contract gives the city discretion to act
The 2022 agreement between the city and IMCO Parking covers eleven municipal garages and one lot, granting the city “sole discretion” to terminate the contract at any time for convenience. City attorney Scott Emblidge notes that ending the entire agreement, not just one garage, would be required, which could affect the agency’s off‑street parking revenue.
City response
On November 2, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) sent a letter to the General Services Administration stating that ICE’s presence is “inconsistent with the City’s laws and policies” and requesting the immediate removal of any ICE vehicles. The agency said it is “exploring all options” and is working with the city attorney’s office.
Mayor’s stance
Mayor Daniel Lurie has not ruled on terminating the contract but reiterated that the city has asked federal officials to ensure ICE vehicles leave the garage. He told a reporter, “We have asked them to make sure they get their vehicles out.”
Legal and compliance issues
Immigration attorney Angela Chan points out that the contract requires the contractor to comply with all local laws, including sanctuary protections. Violation of the “Compliance with Laws” clause would constitute an immediate default under the agreement.
Community reaction
Advocates such as Shira Levine of the Bay Area Habeas Network and former Supervisor David Campos have condemned the use of city property for immigration enforcement, calling it “horrible and offensive” and urging the city to pull out of the contract.
As of now, ICE continues to use the garage, and at least five immigration arrests have been reported in the Bay Area since the issue was raised.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
