Oxnard residents press council over ICE raids; council reiterates sanctuary stance and shares resources

Dozens of residents and community groups told the Oxnard City Council on June 17 that recent ICE enforcement actions are terrorizing neighborhoods and workplaces and asked city leaders to do more than issue statements.

Speakers from VC Defensa, SEIU and other community organizations described arrests they characterized as “kidnappings” at worksites and immigration‑courthouse pickup points and urged the council and city agencies to back rapid‑response legal and social‑service networks. “ICE is violent. ICE is invading neighborhoods and workplaces,” a virtual caller identified as Sharon said during public comment. Vanessa Valdez, a Chicana lawyer and president of the Latinx Bar Association, said local volunteer groups had provided 24/7 rapid response and “know your rights” trainings and asked the city and county to coordinate resources and legal support for families affected by recent arrests.

Why it matters: Speakers and some council members said the raids are reducing school attendance and work participation, with ripple effects for education funding, local businesses and public safety. Council members and staff repeatedly referred to California law limiting local participation in federal immigration enforcement and to the city’s sanctuary‑policy practice, but residents said public reassurances have not eased fear in some neighborhoods.

What speakers asked and what the council said - Community organizers asked for (a) formal, public reassurances from city departments that local police would not assist ICE in immigration enforcement; (b) active coordination with VC Defensa, 805 UndocuFund and other rapid‑response groups to provide legal counsel and family reunification support; and (c) clear instructions for schools and employers about reporting and immediate assistance. VC Defensa representatives said they were fielding calls around the clock and were organizing trainings and presence at schools and workplaces. - Mayor Louise McArthur and City Manager Alex Nguyen (as referenced in public remarks) told the council the city does not have a formal collaboration with ICE and, per state law, Oxnard’s police do not act as immigration agents. City staff reiterated that the city had no ICE detention contract and noted public guidance posted on the city website about “know your rights” resources and a local rapid‑response hotline for Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties (805‑870‑8855). City Attorney Steven Fisher also read the closed‑session notice early in the meeting and later announced there were no reportable actions from the council’s closed session.

Details speakers emphasized - Multiple speakers described arrests at workplaces, in fields and outside immigration court appearances and said those incidents disrupted families’ ability to work and to send children to school. Several parents and school‑district officials said attendance dipped at local schools after a round of arrests; one council member noted the resulting decrease in average daily attendance can reduce school funding. - Organizers described outreach and legal help provided by VC Defensa, 805 UndocuFund and other volunteers, and urged the city to provide logistical or financial help to support rapid‑response teams’ 24/7 efforts. Vanessa Valdez said Mercy legal teams were deployed to graduations and other events to reassure families.

Council reaction and near‑term steps - Council members expressed sympathy and, in several speeches, called for the city to continue publicly reaffirming protections for immigrant residents. Councilmember [District references given in meeting] urged transparency in communications and requested follow‑up about resources the city can mobilize for families — including mental‑health supports for children affected by trauma. - City Manager Alex Nguyen and city staff said they would continue coordination with the county and community partners, maintain the city website’s “know your rights” materials and monitor requests for assistance. Staff also noted the limits of local authority: enforcement of federal immigration law is outside city control, and state law (SB 54, the California Values Act) governs local‑federal interactions.

What the city will not do - City staff and the mayor repeated that Oxnard Police Department policy and state law prevent direct city participation in federal immigration enforcement; several council members said the city would not provide local resources to ICE and urged police transparency where concerns arise.

Community context and next steps - Organizers said they would continue to hold demonstrations and legal trainings and asked the council to meet with VC Defensa and other groups to discuss a locally led response plan. Council members asked staff to report back on whether additional city resources — including public‑information campaigns and school‑district coordination — can be formalized.

The meeting’s public‑comment portion included more than 40 speakers on immigration and related community safety issues; city staff said the council would continue coordinating with volunteer legal networks and community groups and would post resources on the city website.

Ending: City officials and speakers agreed the issue will stay on the council’s radar; residents asked for continued, specific follow‑up, including direct meetings between council members, city staff and community organizers.