Congresswoman Barragán’s office distributes rights cards as Southgate leaders and police clarify local role in immigration enforcement

Ernesto Gomez, field representative for Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, told the Southgate City Council on Jan. 28 that his office will distribute wallet-sized “know your rights” cards and materials at a community meeting and by request.

The outreach comes amid residents’ concern about recent federal immigration activity and what speakers described as last-minute executive actions in Washington that could reduce federal funding for programs the city uses, including Community Development Block Grants and Medicaid.

City Manager Rob (last name not specified) said council and staff will follow up on the federal developments and seek more information from the city’s Washington lobbyist. “I reached out to our lobbyist in Washington and he sent me 50 pages with a list of all the things that are on the chopping block,” a council member told the meeting during public comment, urging officials to notify residents about potential program cuts.

Gomez gave the council and the public a district office phone number — (310) 831-1799 — and said printed cards and materials would be available at a Los Angeles Unified School District information session Jan. 30 at Legacy High School and distributed at local events. “Please give us a call. We are happy to share all these resources with you,” he said.

Southgate Police Chief Arcawa told the council that local officers do not have authority to enforce federal immigration law and described California’s immigration limits on local enforcement. “Local law enforcement does not have the authority to enforce Title 8 of the United States Code,” the chief said, adding that California’s statewide measure commonly called the California Values Act (Senate Bill 54) restricts local immigration-related enforcement and lists narrow exceptions for cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The chief outlined those exceptions, including incarceration or convictions for specified serious or violent felonies and certain federal aggravated felonies listed in the Immigration and Nationality Act, and said the department’s practice is to focus on state criminal law enforcement. He also advised residents to use rapid-response phone numbers and to notify the district office if they see enforcement activity.

Council members urged continued outreach in English and Spanish and requested that the district’s materials be posted on the city website and shared with parent centers and school staff. “Please let [Congresswoman Barragán] know that she has the full support of this council,” Councilwoman Abalos said.

Why it matters: many Southgate residents voiced fear that a federal enforcement action could also reduce federal funding that supports local services. The combination of legal rights information, a rapid-response contact, and repeated council assurances about local policing limits aims to reassure residents while underscoring the limits of municipal authority.

Ending: Gomez said his office will continue to provide updates and printed materials; the city asked staff to post resources on the website and to coordinate with LAUSD and local parent centers.