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Residents urge city leaders to defend immigrants and clarify rights after recent ICE actions
Summary
Several speakers during public comment told the Cathedral City Council they are fearful after recent immigration enforcement actions and called on the city to reaffirm sanctuary protections, offer public education and work with regional partners.
Multiple speakers used public comment time on June 25 to press the City Council on immigration enforcement, saying recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions have created fear in Cathedral City and asking for local steps to protect residents and clarify rights.
Art Grigori described wearing a pink triangle and compared current events to prior historical persecutions, saying "I hope we don't move our city backwards," and urged the council to consider how many residents may have been taken by enforcement actions. Activist Yasmine Espinosa said she was still distressed that Cathedral City’s sanctuary status, approved by a 3–2 council vote eight years earlier, no longer feels sufficient to protect residents. "I denounce Trump. He is not my president," Espinosa said, and asked the council to participate in community events and distribute Spanish/English "red cards" that explain rights during encounters with immigration agents.
Mayor Ross and council members did not propose new ordinances at the meeting. Council member Ross (speaking later in the meeting during council reports) told residents that Cathedral City Police do not act as ICE agents and reviewed practical advice on interacting with ICE: ask for a warrant, request an interpreter if needed, do not consent to entry without a warrant, and exercise the right to remain silent. The council also noted outreach done by staff and representatives to federal and state offices and that staff would continue to follow up with regional partners and consular resources.
No formal policy changes or council votes on sanctuary policy were made at the June 25 meeting; the public-comment speakers asked the council to take further steps to reassure and protect impacted residents and to improve education about residents' rights during immigration enforcement.
