Service
San Francisco's Sanctuary Ordinance
What to do if a City employee is believed to have helped enforce federal immigration law, and what to know about the City's Sanctuary Ordinance.
Human Rights CommissionWhat to know
Cost
No fee for this service.
What is Chapter 12H?
The San Francisco Administrative Code holds changes to City laws made through legislative ordinance. In 1989, Administrative Code Chapter 12H established San Francisco as a City and County of Refuge, meaning that no City employees or officers may use City resources to assist with federal immigration enforcement, except for very limited circumstances. Known more commonly as the Sanctuary City Ordinance, Chapter 12H gives enforcement authority to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.
What is HRC's authority?
The Sanctuary City Ordinance protects San Franciscans’ basic rights to public safety and supports community trust. Enforcement authority means that Human Rights Commission staff are responsible for investigating any allegations of non-compliance. HRC’s Civil Rights Division manages complaints of non-compliance within the timeline established by the Chapter12H Rules of Procedure.
Rules for City employees
City employees aren't allowed to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforce immigration law except in very limited circumstances or when required by federal or state law.
HRC Civil Rights Division
The Civil Rights Division of the Human Rights Commission can assist you with your complaint or inquiry.
What to know
Cost
No fee for this service.
What is Chapter 12H?
The San Francisco Administrative Code holds changes to City laws made through legislative ordinance. In 1989, Administrative Code Chapter 12H established San Francisco as a City and County of Refuge, meaning that no City employees or officers may use City resources to assist with federal immigration enforcement, except for very limited circumstances. Known more commonly as the Sanctuary City Ordinance, Chapter 12H gives enforcement authority to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.
What is HRC's authority?
The Sanctuary City Ordinance protects San Franciscans’ basic rights to public safety and supports community trust. Enforcement authority means that Human Rights Commission staff are responsible for investigating any allegations of non-compliance. HRC’s Civil Rights Division manages complaints of non-compliance within the timeline established by the Chapter12H Rules of Procedure.
Rules for City employees
City employees aren't allowed to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforce immigration law except in very limited circumstances or when required by federal or state law.
HRC Civil Rights Division
The Civil Rights Division of the Human Rights Commission can assist you with your complaint or inquiry.
What to do
1. Contact us
To file an inquiry, contact the Human Rights Commission.
San Francisco, CA 94102
2. Tell us what happened
Please share any information regarding the allegation of non-compliance with the Sanctuary City Ordinance, including specific details around:
- when it occurred
- where it took place
- who was involved
3. Hear back from us
We will contact you regarding the alleged non-compliance with the Sanctuary City Ordinance and discuss next steps.
Rules of procedure for filing a complaint
You can make a report anonymously, without giving your name. Under Admin Code Chapter 12.H (the Sanctuary City Ordinance, formally titled the 'City and County of Refuge Ordinance'), there are Rules of Procedure for filing a complaint:
Sanctuary City Ordinance
Unless there's a specific legal requirement, City employees may not use City resources to:
- assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law
- gather information for the enforcement of federal immigration law
- help any ICE investigation, detention, or arrest for civil violations of federal immigration law
- ask about immigration status on any application for City benefits, services, or opportunities
- limit City services or benefits based on immigration status
- hold someone based on a civil immigration detainer after they're eligible for release from custody
- provide information about the release status or personal information of any individual
For more information, read the City and County of Refuge ordinance.
Contact us
Address
San Francisco, CA 94102