Residents Describe Fear After ICE Activity; Councilors Urge Federal Engagement, Local Support

Dozens of residents told the Thousand Oaks City Council on June 24 that recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city is creating fear and destabilizing families.

Speakers described early‑morning entries by ICE and the practical harms that follow — lost wages, children left without caregivers and traumatic conditions inside detention facilities. Council members and city staff acknowledged the limits of local authority over federal immigration enforcement and urged residents to reach out to state and federal representatives while the city offers local supports.

Multiple speakers recounted specific harms. Mackenzie Tabara said the community is “living through nightmares” and called the raids “a human rights crisis.” Erica Perez, who identified herself as a Cal Fire employee, described her mother’s detention and deportation and said, “What’s happening inside these detention centers is inhuman.” Eva Castro, a Ventura County social worker, told the council she is seeing “the emotional and psychological harm that ICE is inflicting on our communities.” Several speakers urged the council to adopt local policies limiting cooperation with ICE and to increase outreach and legal resources for affected families.

Councilmember Ty Gutierrez acknowledged residents’ fear and said the presence of ICE “has created an undercurrent of fear in our city” while noting that federal immigration enforcement lies outside city jurisdiction. Mayor David Newman repeated the city’s public‑safety focus, saying, “We are essentially in the quality of life business here,” and emphasized that local police and fire will remain available to all residents. City Manager Mitch Powers said Chief of Police Jeremy Paris would be available in the lobby after the meeting to speak with residents.

Staff and council members described the limits of local authority but outlined steps the city is taking or can take within its powers: increasing funding for nonprofit services (discussed later in the meeting, see separate article on Community Social Services Grants), connecting residents to legal hotlines, and directing residents to contact state and federal lawmakers. Councilmember Gutierrez urged residents to contact their state senators and congressional representatives to seek transparency and resources at higher levels of government.

No formal council action on immigration policy or policing cooperation with federal authorities was taken at the June 24 meeting. Council members repeatedly told the public the city will listen, provide local services and refer residents to regional and federal resources where appropriate.

The council received multiple written comments echoing the public speakers’ concerns; City Clerk staff noted written submissions from Lisa Solis and Sandra Martinez were added to the record. Mayor Newman and Councilmember Gutierrez both thanked speakers for attending and for sharing personal accounts.

The meeting record shows sustained public concern about immigration enforcement in Thousand Oaks and a council willing to provide local supports while urging residents to press state and federal representatives for broader policy changes.

Ending: The council did not take formal legislative action on immigration enforcement at this meeting. Residents seeking assistance were advised on available local and regional resources and to contact state and federal elected officials; Chief Paris was available after the meeting to meet with residents in the lobby.