Sandra advocates for transparency in Santa Ana's immigration enforcement practices

The Santa Ana City Council meeting held on May 6, 2025, featured a significant public comment from Sandra, a resident of Ward 4 and coordinator for the Orange County Rapid Response Network. She addressed the council regarding concerns over immigration enforcement practices in the community, specifically criticizing the Santa Ana Police Department and city officials for allegedly withholding critical information about ICE activities.

Sandra emphasized the importance of transparency from city leadership, stating that timely information is essential for residents to protect their families. She highlighted a troubling increase in local immigration enforcement, including reports of individuals being detained during scheduled ICE check-ins and the presence of Homeland Security agents conducting welfare checks on vulnerable community members, including unaccompanied minors.

Citing data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), she pointed out that nearly 46 percent of those detained have no criminal record, contradicting the belief that ICE primarily targets individuals with serious criminal histories. Sandra, drawing from her personal experiences as a lifelong resident of Santa Ana, urged the council to acknowledge the real impacts of immigration enforcement on the community and called for more proactive measures to support residents facing these challenges.

The meeting underscored the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Santa Ana, with community advocates pressing for greater accountability and support from local government. The council's response to these concerns and any subsequent actions will be closely monitored by residents and advocacy groups alike.