Santa Ana council discusses immigration policies and sanctuary city status amid community concerns

The Regular City Council Meeting held on February 4, 2025, in Santa Ana, California, focused on significant discussions surrounding immigration policies and community safety. The meeting began with Council Member Lopez emphasizing the importance of public awareness regarding the city's public Request for Proposals (RFP) process, particularly in relation to the community's fears surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities.

Lopez presented alarming statistics indicating that over 90 percent of individuals with immigration detainers in the custody of the Orange County Sheriff's Department were born in Vietnam and were not protected under California's state law from being referred to ICE. He highlighted that Westminster, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana were the top three local agencies referring community members to ICE, with specific numbers cited for each city. Lopez expressed his commitment to ensuring that the city does not support the deportation of its residents and advocated for the swift establishment of an immigration defense fund to protect vulnerable community members.

Council Member Vasquez supported Lopez's stance, reaffirming Santa Ana's identity as a sanctuary city. She addressed misinformation circulating on social media regarding alleged ICE raids in the community, confirming that no such raids had been reported or verified by local law enforcement. The police chief echoed this sentiment, stating that there had been no confirmed ICE activity in Santa Ana.

The discussion then shifted to the existence of a sanctuary policy advisory group. Council members raised questions about whether such a group had ever been formally established. The city manager and city attorney clarified that they had not found evidence of a recognized advisory group, despite some community members claiming involvement. The city attorney noted that any formal commission would be subject to legal requirements, including transparency laws, which could deter undocumented individuals from seeking assistance.

Council Member Lopez expressed concern about the lack of clarity regarding the advisory group's status and emphasized the need for a structured approach to ensure community voices are heard without compromising the safety of undocumented residents. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further investigate the establishment of a formal advisory group while balancing the need for confidentiality and protection for community members.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city council's dedication to immigrant rights and the importance of clear communication with the community regarding policies and practices affecting vulnerable populations. The council plans to revisit the immigration defense fund and advisory group discussions in future meetings.