Huntington Park council adopts ordinance and resolution to limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement

HUNTINGTON PARK, Calif. — The Huntington Park City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt a first-reading ordinance restricting municipal interactions with federal immigration enforcement and a resolution condemning non‑transparent federal immigration tactics after a night of public comment decrying recent unmarked arrests in the city.

The ordinance, described to council as procedures for municipal interactions with federal agencies related to immigration enforcement, and the resolution that affirms community safety principles both passed on unanimous roll calls. The council also instructed city staff to set up reporting channels and to monitor federal activity for possible civil‑rights violations.

Why it matters: dozens of Huntington Park residents, community organizations and immigrant‑rights groups told the council they are living in fear after recent raids and arrests by individuals identifying themselves as immigration agents — or by people who did not identify themselves at all. Speakers said workers are staying home and that families are being separated, and several organizations urged the council to act now rather than wait for state or federal remedies.

During public comment, Wendy, a Huntington Park resident and street‑vendor advocate, told the council: “This is not enforcement. This is a terror. Tonight, I am here because our community is living in fear.” Multiple other speakers, including representatives of the California Immigrant Policy Center and the Garment Workers Center, urged the council to pass strong protections. Edgar Ortiz, economic justice policy manager for the California Immigrant Policy Center, said the ordinance is “very timely” and urged support. Immigration attorney Shuming Chir urged council support as well and cited high recent arrest counts in the region.

Council discussion and staff directions focused on what local government can do without conflicting with federal law. The city manager told the council the city will launch an initiative within about a week to provide resources and public information; staff said they will publish complaint channels and translate materials into Spanish. The city attorney and police staff explained limits on local authority: federal agents are not always required to show identification, and once a federal agent operating under federal authority is identified, local officers cannot legally prevent their action without risking obstruction charges.

The resolution directs city staff to document incidents involving questionable federal enforcement conduct, to refer potential civil‑rights violations to appropriate oversight authorities, and to explore legal remedies, oversight referrals and litigation “where appropriate.” Councilmembers repeatedly asked staff to ensure the community knows how to report incidents; the city manager said complaint mechanisms and public notifications will be made available and translated.

Votes at a glance: ordinance (item 2) — motion to adopt first reading of the ordinance restricting municipal interactions with federal immigration enforcement; outcome: approved by roll call vote (Yes: Council member Macias; Council member Martinez; Council member Sanabria; Vice Mayor Martinez; Mayor Flores). Resolution (item 3) — motion to adopt a resolution condemning non‑transparent federal immigration enforcement tactics and affirming community safety principles; outcome: approved by roll call vote (Yes: Council member Macias; Council member Martinez; Council member Sanabria; Vice Mayor Martinez; Mayor Flores).

What remains undecided or for follow up: councilmembers asked police and legal staff to present operational guidance explaining how HPPD will verify federal agents and respond when residents report suspected impersonators or unmarked operations. Staff committed to returning with communications for residents, translated copies of the ordinance and resolution, and a public hotline and complaint process. The council also directed staff to monitor federal activity and to consider pursuing legal remedies if violations are documented.

Community groups at the meeting asked the council to consider additional measures such as class‑action litigation, expanded “know your rights” outreach, and phone‑based public comment options at future meetings so residents who fear leaving home can participate. City staff and councilmembers repeatedly urged residents to document incidents and to call 911 when immediate assistance is needed so police can respond and, when appropriate, verify the identity of federal agents.

The meeting record shows extensive public testimony tied to the agenda items and the two formal council actions. City staff reiterated that Huntington Park must comply with state and federal law (including references during discussion to California’s SB 54, the California Values Act) even as the city seeks to minimize local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and to protect residents’ civil liberties.

A note on spelling and names: the city and speakers consistently referred to the jurisdiction as Huntington Park; community organizations represented in testimony included the Garment Workers Center, the California Immigrant Policy Center and Inclusive Action for the City. The city manager and city attorney participated in the staff presentation; the Huntington Park Police Department (HPPD) provided operational clarification through staff remarks.