De-Bug’s Account of Showing Up When ICE Came to Elmwood County Jail on October 22nd, 2026

SV De-Bug

2 hours ago

3 min read

De-Bug got a message at 10:30am on 10/22/26 that ICE agents were in the lobby of Elmwood County Jail. De-Bug folks immediately went to Elmwood and found 8+ agents both inside and outside the lobby. Their vehicles were unmarked and parked in the handicap parking spots directly across from the lobby. The agents were armed, majority were masked. RRN legal observers were there as well. De-Bug approached ICE and asked them why they were there but they were non-responsive. De-Bug approached ICE and asked them why they were there but they were non-responsive.

As more community came to Elmwood, here is a snapshot of actions we took from 10:30am till 12 noon when the ICE agents eventually left.

Document

We took pictures and video of the ICE agents which showed where they were, and their vehicles, and where they were stationed.

Call In Community And Media

When we got there, we called in community to show up. There is strength in numbers - and thankfully more people came to support. We also called media, so ICE agents would know their actions are being watched and will be shared widely. As soon as ICE saw the news camera show up - they immediately scurried away.

Let Folks Inside Know ICE is Outside

People who were in jail and set to be released that day were walking into an ICE trap. So we asked defense attorneys who were walking in to visit clients to spread the word inside that ICE was waiting in the lobby.

Get Folks Out of the Danger Zone

People who were released were naturally concerned about ICE, even after the ICE vehicles left. Some said they didn’t want to walk outside of the facility. De-Bug folks assisted with transportation for those who were hesitant of stepping outside alone.

Inform County Elected Leaders Who Claim to Want to Challenge ICE - That They Are Here

We emailed and notified all of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors that ICE was currently at Elmwood Jail and were on and using County property to terrorize and conduct kidnappings. In public settings like rallies, statements to the media, these Board of Supervisors have claimed they will fight against ICE to protect their constituents. They have even created an ICE Free Zone policy. Yet, when it comes to immigrants who have been incarcerated - these same officials have been unresponsive. Unfortunately, this time as well, no Board of Supervisor Office responded or came to Elmwood. Since June 2025, over 60 people have been taken at the jail - a number we have repeatedly told the Board of Supervisors, that will grow if no one stops ICE.

Concern of Sheriffs Interactions with ICE

Santa Clara County policy prohibits county staff from communicating and collaborating with ICE.

ICE was allowed to loiter in the lobby in the jail, with guns, without stating their purpose, for hours. They parked wherever they wanted, walked in and out, without any question. No civilian would be allowed to move with such tacit enabling as ICE operated at the jail. First, we saw ICE agents and sheriffs speaking with one another and interacting, specifically outside the lobby of Elmwood in the parking lot between cars. Second, one man that we gave a ride to told us that when he was inside waiting to be released, an attorney asked a Sheriff if he could inform the people waiting to be released about ICE’s presence outside and the Sheriff responded “no.”

Thank you to everyone who showed up to defend our people!

Silicon Valley De-Bug

Photos of our encounter with ICE Agents at Elmwood County Jail: