Immigrant‑rights group urges Port Hueneme to support residents after federal changes to enforcement

PORT HUENEME, Calif. — A representative of the 805 Immigrant Rapid Response Network and the 805 Undocu Fund urged the City Council on Monday to take “swift, tangible and decisive action” to support Port Hueneme’s immigrant community following a federal change that the speaker said allows wider use of racial profiling by ICE.

Sarah Wojczeski (spelled in the record) told council members the immigrant population makes up roughly 60% of Port Hueneme, argued that local economies rely on immigrant workers and asked the city to consider concrete steps: research what other cities are doing, host a public forum, create an immigration committee, sign a common interest agreement in the Vasquez‑Perdomo v. Nome litigation, and consider allocating a portion of the community benefit fund for immigrant legal defense and education.

What was said and what the city will do Wojczeski cited statistics on immigrant economic contributions to Ventura County and said ICE operations will increase funding and enforcement on October 1; she asked the council to investigate options and to stand with impacted families. The city manager acknowledged the request and said staff would investigate and report back on options discussed, including coordination with county resources and training materials. Council did not take an immediate formal action on the request during the meeting.

Context The speaker referenced a recent federal decision and local examples of municipal responses in Moorpark, Santa Paula and Oxnard; she urged use of local community benefit funds and other municipal tools to provide legal education and defense resources.

Next steps Staff will include the issue when coordinating immigration‑resource training and materials with the county and will report back to council on possible actions that fit within city authority and available funding.