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Residents urge Carpinteria Council to support immigrant families; council asks staff to review resolution options
Summary
Speakers from the Carpinteria Children’s Project and immigrant advocates described fear among families after recent enforcement actions and urged the council to pass a resolution affirming protections; the council asked staff to return with options and noted the city previously passed a measure aligning with the California Values Act (SB 54).
Multiple residents and nonprofit leaders urged the Carpinteria City Council on June 23 to adopt a public stance supporting immigrant families and to provide legal, mental‑health and outreach support after what speakers described as enforcement actions creating widespread fear.
Theresa Alvarez, executive director of the Carpinteria Children’s Project, told the council the organization’s staff have observed “fear, stress, and uncertainty that is taking a real toll on children's emotional well‑being.” Alvarez said attendees at a recent local immigration clinic described parents afraid to leave home or to access services and asked the council to “take a stand in solidarity with the families in our community who are being impacted by immigration raids and enforcement actions.”
Jessica Ramirez, director of family services at the same nonprofit, described a clinic that offered legal consultations and form‑filling help and said some residents stayed away because they feared leaving home. “Our community is afraid,” Ramirez said, and asked the council to consider measures including a formal resolution affirming the city’s commitment to diversity and the well‑being of all residents; limits on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; and funding for legal aid and “know your rights” training.
Speakers also included community members who described personal fear and requests for the council’s leadership. Council members responded by asking staff to review the request and return with information and options. City staff noted the council had previously adopted a resolution in March pledging compliance with the California Values Act (often referenced as SB 54), and staff has provided guidance for city buildings and employees on interaction with federal agents.
No formal resolution was adopted at the meeting; the council directed staff to gather language and legal context and bring proposed options back to council for consideration.
Why it matters: Several speakers tied children’s school readiness and emotional well‑being to the stability of family life and asked the city for local policy and funding responses. The council’s request for a staff report starts a formal review process that could lead to a future council action.
