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Hundreds urge San Fernando to become sanctuary city; council declines to direct staff to draft ordinance
Summary
Dozens of residents and several advocacy groups called on the San Fernando City Council to adopt a sanctuary policy to restrict local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Councilmembers debated legal scope and local risk and voted down a motion to direct staff to draft a formal ordinance.
Dozens of residents and representatives from immigrant-rights groups urged the San Fernando City Council on May 7 to adopt a sanctuary policy that would limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The call for a formal policy dominated public comment, with speakers including Brandon Gonzalez, who said he was representing State Senator Caroline Mendeavor and urged the council: “I once again strongly ask the city council to support designating the city of San Fernando as a sanctuary city.” Maria Flores, a community member, told the council: “I am here to voice my strong support for making San Fernando a sanctuary city.”
Supporters framed the measure as a public-safety and family-stability step. Joanna Reyes, district director for Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez, said her office backs a local policy and described state-level efforts to help families prepare for immigration…
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