Residents decry ICE raids, militarized policing as Santa Ana protests swell

Hundreds of residents filled the Santa Ana council chamber and the surrounding streets to protest recent immigration enforcement activity and the heavily armed federal and National Guard presence in the city.

Speakers described unmarked agents detaining neighbors and recalled tear gas and rubber projectiles fired at largely peaceful crowds. Many urged the council and mayor to demand that federal agents and the National Guard leave and to protect immigrant families.

The demonstrations began after a series of immigration enforcement actions in the city earlier in June. Protesters, neighborhood groups and nonprofit organizers told the council that ICE and other federal agents have conducted raids at workplaces and in neighborhoods, often in unmarked vehicles and without visible identification. Multiple speakers said residents are afraid to shop, go to work or let children attend summer programs.

“San­ta Ana promised a sanctuary, but what we’re living in right now, this isn’t sanctuary,” said Bulmaro Vicente, political and policy director of Chispa, who described seeing tear gas and what he called coordinated action between federal agents and local police. “SAPD says they won’t enforce ICE raids, but they’ll shoot rubber bullets and tear gas at people protesting ICE. That’s not neutrality. That’s collaboration.”

Other speakers recounted personal incidents. Nathan Tran said he was struck in the jaw by a 40‑millimeter rubber projectile while observing protests and received emergency care at UCI Medical Center. Several others said they were struck or gassed while participating in peaceful demonstrations.

Council members and city staff responded that the council does not control federal immigration enforcement. City Attorney Bynum told the council that the city lacks legal authority to prohibit ICE, Border Patrol or the National Guard from operating within Santa Ana’s boundaries. “The city cannot prevent ICE from entering or operating within the city's boundaries,” the city attorney said during the meeting’s report‑out from closed session.

Councilmembers and staff said federal authorities contacted the city and asked for assistance to protect federal facilities and employees. Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez told the council the department responded to requests for safety at the federal building and that some federal agents later requested assistance because they felt overwhelmed. The presence of the National Guard, officials said, is a federal decision outside the city’s control.

Despite that limitation, several council members said the city will press for transparency and other local steps to protect residents. Councilmember Tay Viet Phan (Ward 1) and others urged the mayor and city manager to pursue records requests and to coordinate with Orange County and state officials to seek more information. "We must demand ICE out of Orange County and Santa Ana and demilitarize SAPD," several speakers and community groups demanded.

Organizers and elected officials also pressed for accountability at the Santa Ana Police Department for use of force during protests and for quick answers about how many less‑lethal rounds and chemical agents were deployed. City staff agreed to seek and publish available records and to work with local and federal lawmakers to pursue additional transparency. Several community groups encouraged residents to continue organizing, provide mutual aid to families affected by raids, and support legal and social services for detained people.

Public commenters called on the council to take immediate steps including demanding federal transparency about detentions, releasing all city communications related to federal activity in Santa Ana, ending any formal or informal cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and pursuing protections and emergency assistance for families affected by recent actions.

Councilmembers who attended protests were singled out for support by speakers. Several residents asked the council to pursue investigatory records and to seek legislative remedies at higher levels of government.

The meeting continued past mid‑night as dozens more speakers made public comments. City leaders reiterated that while the city cannot unilaterally bar federal agents, it will continue to press county, state and federal officials for answers and to coordinate services and legal aid to impacted families.

Community groups closed their remarks urging continued peaceful protest and neighborhood support networks for affected families. “If the federal government will not protect us, we will protect one another,” one organizer said.

Ending: The council pledged to continue pressing for transparency and to help connect residents with services; residents said they will keep protesting and organizing until they see specific protections and an end to federal actions they describe as terrorizing immigrant communities.