San Fernando council, residents press city to expand rapid-response, legal and outreach support amid ICE activity

Residents, community advocates and elected officials urged the San Fernando City Council on June 16 to take immediate, practical steps to help residents facing immigration enforcement after a surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across Los Angeles County.

Public commenters described fear in neighborhoods and called for a range of local measures: expanded "know-your-rights" education, rapid-response teams to help families when a member is detained, free or low-cost legal services, protections for schools and places of worship, and city-funded emergency aid for families that lose their primary wage earner.

“ICE is terrorizing our community,” speaker Erica said during public comment. Several speakers recounted firsthand fear of being stopped or of seeing unmarked vehicles and agents who do not identify themselves. Sergio Amalfitano urged practical, employer- and business-focused outreach: "we can put… stop employees only…" and better community education about workers’ rights. LA County Supervisor field deputy Paulina Torres distributed an immigrant resource guide and said the office would share a Spanish version when available.

Vice Mayor Mary Solorio, who requested the agenda item, described the item as aimed at "doing something more for our community" and read a historical quote to underscore the stakes. Staff reported steps already taken: the council previously adopted a citywide policy to not collect immigration status information for city purposes and to not cooperate with immigration enforcement; the city produced “Know Your Rights” red cards; staff held an immigration forum that included legal assistance and a police presentation; and the city is preparing consolidated video guidance for residents and staff.

Police Chief told the council the department had refreshed training on the California Values Act (SB 54), reviewed policy language mirroring SB 54, and had mobilized internal preparations for potential protests or civil unrest. Commander Chieson said San Fernando officers who responded to protests in Los Angeles encountered violence and that the department is vetting social-media reports about operations before posting. The police department said it does not assist federal officers and will not obstruct federal activity. Chief and Commander reinforced how residents can identify San Fernando officers—department patch, badges, body-worn cameras—and encouraged residents to ask to see a supervisor if unsure.

Council and staff identified possible next steps: assemble a coordinated rapid-response resource list and outreach plan (including e-mail/text/social media), expand and reprint know-your-rights materials in Spanish, produce a short public service video on peaceful protest and how to identify San Fernando police officers, ensure staff training citywide, coordinate with county legal-aid providers, explore funding options for emergency assistance to impacted families and research municipal ID programs used elsewhere (for example, San Francisco). The council asked staff to return with a single staff report that outlines program options, administrative requirements and estimated costs.

Council also directed staff to finalize a public statement regarding a recent federal incident involving U.S. Senator Alex Padilla; staff circulated a draft and council members provided quick edits so a statement could be released the following day.

No formal ordinance or binding policy change was adopted in the meeting; council members asked staff to return with proposals and cost estimates and to expand outreach and legal-resource coordination.

Community members and city officials said education and rapid connections to legal service providers, plus clearer public guidance about peaceful protest and how to identify local police, are immediate priorities.