Council pauses vote on new ‘community harmony’ resolution after lengthy public comments on immigration enforcement

The Garden Grove City Council spent more than two hours on a draft resolution intended to reaffirm “community harmony and safety” amid heightened federal immigration enforcement activity that residents said has generated fear and disruption. After extensive public comment and a long dais discussion, the council voted to table the proposed draft and asked the sponsor and staff to rework the language.

Councilmember Ariana Adestegui introduced the item, saying the measure is intended as a statement of policy rather than a law. “A resolution is a statement of policy… it is not an ordinance,” Adestegui told colleagues, adding the purpose was to reassure residents and clarify the city’s role and limits. She and others repeatedly urged the council to avoid drafting language that would conflict with state law.

Hundreds of Garden Grove residents turned out for oral communications and the item. Speakers supporting action included community organizers, teachers and parents who described mistaken detentions near schools and said the prospect of federal enforcement has generated fear and “toxic stress” for children. Dwight Huo of VRISE, a local nonprofit, said the August 19 detention of a father outside a school “normalized” ICE tactics and urged the city to adopt the resolution and add practical supports such as a know‑your‑rights webpage and legal clinics.

Opponents said the draft contained unnecessary or legally problematic language, might put federal funding at risk and could be misread by residents and outside actors. Former Garden Grove law‑enforcement officials explained the difference between a temporary detention and an arrest, noting that detentions based on “reasonable suspicion” are a routine law‑enforcement tool. Several speakers urged caution, saying a symbolic resolution could prompt unintended consequences.

Garden Grove Police Chief Amir Afara spoke in favor of clear language that reflected departmental practice; he told the council the department “does not participate in immigration enforcement activities, nor will we inquire about an individual's immigration status.” Councilmembers noted that the state California Values Act (SB 54) already restricts local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in many circumstances, and asked that any new council text reference that statute and the department’s policy.

A number of councilmembers said they supported the intent — protecting students and families and condemning hateful rhetoric — but raised objections to specific draft language and urged edits. Councilmember Breidingham said the council should not “penalize” Harbinger-like situations for administrative shortcomings elsewhere; other members wanted clearer language about the city’s limits and existing legal obligations.

After debate, two procedural votes were held. A substitute motion to continue without tabling failed, and a subsequent motion to table the draft indefinitely passed on a 5‑2 vote, with Councilmembers Adestegui and Munozan voting no and the mayor and other councilmembers voting to table. City Attorney staff explained that a 2017 resolution with substantially similar language remains on the books and active; councilmembers asked staff and the sponsor to produce a revised draft referencing SB 54 and quoting the police department’s statement for consideration at a future meeting.

What the council did not do: The body did not adopt the new drafted resolution as presented, and it did not alter police policy. The item was tabled for further drafting.

Why this matters: Speakers described trauma among children and fear among immigrant families, issues that intersect with education, public safety and municipal liability concerns. Councilmembers balanced the need to be responsive to community fears with legal constraints and potential impacts on federal funding or policing outcomes.

Next steps: Staff and the sponsor will work on revised language that specifically references SB 54 and the Garden Grove Police Department’s statement on immigration enforcement; the item was tabled indefinitely pending a future draft and additional community input.