ANTIOCH, Calif. — Amid nationwide fears over federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity during Halloween, Bay Area cities assured the public that everyone will be protected, emphasizing that all are welcome.

Ahead of Halloween and the Dia de los Muertos community event scheduled for Saturday in Antioch, the city and its police department reassured residents that the department is committed to serving and protecting the community “regardless of immigration status.”

“We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the event, knowing that your safety, rights, and dignity will be respected,” the city stated on Wednesday.

With officers set to be at the events “to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees,” Capt. Desmond Bittner said their presence is meant “to ensure public safety, not enforce immigration law.”

Jaden Baird, Antioch’s public information officer, said the parks and recreation department received concerns from people who were worried about typical Halloween celebrations and wanted to attend Saturday’s event.

Baird said the public wanted assurance from the city that their safety would be a priority amid nationwide immigration enforcement raids.

“We want folks to know that they can go out and enjoy, and we are here to protect you,” Baird told this news organization.

The Antioch Police Department reiterated its stance that it does not participate in ICE raids or other federal immigration enforcement, a stance shared by several other East Bay departments.

Antioch noted that officers will not ask individuals about their immigration status for enforcement purposes, detain individuals for civil immigration violations, use state databases for immigration enforcement, or question victims or witnesses about their immigration status when reporting a crime.

The agency said that federal immigration enforcement requests go through a supervisor and are only considered “in emergency situations.”

Police Chief Joe Vigil said the department will have its own haunted house event on Friday.

“I encourage people to have a good time, stay safe and always take care of one another,” said Vigil. “If anything pops up that doesn’t look right, give us a call.”

In Brentwood, public information officer Lindzie Laughridge reminded residents that they also do not participate in federal immigration enforcement.

The department remains dedicated to serving all members of the community with “professionalism, fairness and respect,” said Laughridge.

She noted that officers will be working regular shifts over the weekend and urged the public to report suspicious activities.

“We just want to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all members of our community,” said Laughridge. “So, we want to reaffirm that we want it to be a safe and welcoming environment for all members of our community.”

In Oakland, Mayor Barbara Lee said the city has been working extensively with community partners to ensure immigrant communities are informed and supported, including during the city’s own Dia de los Muertos event this weekend.

Lee said Oakland is a sanctuary city and is committed to upholding its policy that neither the Oakland Police Department nor any other city staff can assist or participate in immigration law enforcement.

“Our officers will be present at the festival to ensure public safety and protect residents’ rights,” Lee said in a statement to this news organization. “Our families deserve to celebrate their culture and traditions safely, and Oakland will stand firmly with our immigrant communities to ensure that happens.”

The San Jose Police Department reiterated that its policies have remained unchanged, reminding the public that it does not participate in or assist with federal immigration actions.

“Our focus continues to be on maintaining public safety and trust within our community,” the department said in a statement.

Marivel Mendoza, a spokesperson for the East County Rapid Response Coalition, urged everyone to stay safe during the celebrations as there could be instances of people impersonating federal agents.

“I think people need to be very mindful and observant of certain costumes because I think there are going to be people who want to do something because they think it’s funny,” said Mendoza.

She said the coalition will be volunteering at events to educate people about their rights and access to help.

Nationally, a request by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to pause immigration enforcement was denied by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, NBC News reported Thursday.

“I am respectfully requesting you suspend enforcement operations from Friday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2 in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks, houses of worship, and other community gatherings where Halloween celebrations are taking place. Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear,” Pritzker stated in his letter to Noem. “No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood.”

Noem rejected the proposal.

“We’re absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe,” Noem said Thursday. “The fact that Gov. Pritzker is asking for that is shameful and, I think, unfortunate that he doesn’t recognize how important the work is that we do to make sure we’re bringing criminals to justice and getting them off our streets, especially when we’re going to send all of our kiddos out on the streets and going to events and enjoying the holiday season.”

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