Dozens of residents and community organizers urged the Anaheim City Council on issues related to federal immigration enforcement after a hospitalized woman, identified in public comments as Milagros Solis Portillo, was taken into custody while receiving medical care.

Speakers said the woman arrived at Anaheim Global Medical Center after initial treatment at Glendale Memorial Hospital, and that federal officers removed her from the hospital and restricted access by family and lawyers. ‘‘I was there when that woman had that anxiety attack. I watched that happen,’’ said Reverend Oona Casanova Vasquez, who identified herself as an ordained elder and a volunteer with CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice).

The dispute over what occurred prompted repeated demands that the city document and publish any contact or coordination with federal agencies and provide clearer, real-time updates to the community. ‘‘ICE has no place anywhere in Orange County. ICE has no place in Anaheim,’’ said Jennifer, who identified herself as an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Why it matters: Speakers said the incident illustrates a larger pattern of immigration enforcement that they say is creating fear in Anaheim neighborhoods, disrupting school attendance and deterring people from seeking medical care. Speakers asked the council to move beyond informational webpages and to adopt enforceable protections, more community alerts when federal activity occurs, and expanded legal and immediate emergency support for affected families.

What speakers said and asked
- Community organizers and volunteers described sustained, round-the-clock monitoring of hospital grounds and documented unmarked vehicles and federal personnel at or near Anaheim Global Medical Center. ‘‘ICE was there,’’ said one organizer who identified herself as Izzy after hours at the hospital and monitoring the site.
- Several speakers asked the council to update and expand the city’s Anaheim Contigo page so it accurately reflects on-the-ground reports and to make clear what data sources the city relies on. A speaker who identified himself as Andre Luna, representing Pueblo Nido, asked the city to publicize who is monitoring activity and how the city liaises with law enforcement.
- Pastors, nurses and volunteer observers called for hospital protocols that protect patients’ access to counsel and family visitation and for public confirmation that no city departments have contracts or data-sharing agreements with federal immigration enforcement that would permit forced transfers from hospitals.

City response and context
City staff and the council said they have posted informational material and a reporting pathway on the Anaheim Contigo portal. Council members and staff repeatedly emphasized that the Anaheim Police Department itself does not have a contract with ICE. Community members said that official statements and web postings have not been sufficient and asked for stronger, visible on-site presence and advance notice when federal agents are operating in the city.

What the council did
The meeting included extensive public comment but no formal council action on the item. Multiple speakers asked the council to pursue court or administrative remedies, to document communications between city agencies and federal entities, and to provide immediate legal and emergency financial assistance to impacted families.

Next steps noted in the meeting
Speakers said they would pursue public records requests for communications between local law enforcement and federal agencies, and they urged the city to expand emergency legal funding and to improve the speed and clarity of community alerts. Several council members and staff said they would continue to coordinate with community organizations and regional partners to track incidents and to assess what additional city policies could be considered.

Ending: The council allowed an extended public comment period; no ordinance, formal policy or vote was taken during the meeting. Community organizers said they will return to the council if they do not see changes to reporting, legal support and hospital protocols.