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Anaheim council reaffirms "welcoming city" designation, emphasizes public-safety outreach
Summary
The Anaheim City Council voted 7-0 to reaffirm the city's 2017 designation as a welcoming city, directing staff and public safety agencies to continue outreach and clarify that local police and fire will not undertake federal immigration enforcement.
The Anaheim City Council voted unanimously to reaffirm the city's 2017 designation as a welcoming city, a move council members and staff said is meant to reassure residents who have expressed fear about immigration enforcement and to reinforce outreach by city departments.
Councilmember Jose Leon, who brought the item forward, said the resolution "reaffirms something that is core to who we are" and stressed the city's long history as an immigrant-founded community. He told the council the action is meant to combine symbolic reassurance with practical steps to improve communication with residents.
City staff said the resolution reiterates existing practices required by state law and adds renewed commitments to public communication, privacy protections and partnerships with schools, nonprofits and the resort community. Assistant City Manager Michael (Mike) Lister and staff described updated web resources, printed "know your rights" materials and ongoing outreach to schools and community organizations.
Police Chief Raul Armendariz and Fire Chief Mark Russell told the council their departments do not take part in federal immigration enforcement. "No, we don't," Armendariz said when asked whether APD engages in immigration enforcement, and Russell said the fire department likewise does not enforce immigration laws and does not ask callers about immigration status in emergency responses.
Councilmembers emphasized that the city's actions must match the words. Councilmember Katherine Kurtz said residents feel safer when city services, sidewalks, lights and parks are maintained across neighborhoods. The council voted 7-0 to adopt the reaffirmation.
The resolution directs city staff to keep residents informed through libraries, community centers and the city website; to maintain privacy protections consistent with state and federal laws; to pursue language-access and other services; and to continue coordination with schools, nonprofits and public-safety agencies.
Council members and staff said outreach will continue in Spanish and other languages and that the city will use its existing channels and partner organizations to distribute accurate information.
The vote was 7 ayes, no nays. The council also amended one clause to read that city services must be accessible to "residents and visitors regardless of their citizenship status or primary language."
