Dozens of residents urge Oxnard Council to adopt sanctuary-city protections; council asks staff to prepare information

Dozens of residents and local organizations told the Oxnard City Council on Tuesday night that communities in the city are living "in fear" and urged elected officials to upgrade the city's 2017 safe-city resolution to formal sanctuary-city protections.

Speakers at a packed public-comment period described recent immigration enforcement activity in Oxnard and said families, farmworkers and schoolchildren are avoiding work, medical care and school because they fear deportation. Council members said they would pursue preparatory steps but did not take a formal vote to change policy.

The demand came from a cross-section of activists, nonprofit leaders and students who called on the council to adopt concrete, enforceable protections. "Everyday families in our city live in fear of being separated from their loved ones," said Vanessa Valdez, a local organizer for VC Defensa, during public comment. "This fear affects our children, schools, workplaces, and overall well-being."

Why this matters: speakers said Oxnard's economy and daily life depend on immigrant labor in agriculture and other industries, and they argued that residents should be able to work and access services without constant fear of federal immigration enforcement. Community leaders asked the council for tangible steps beyond proclamations: prohibiting use of city resources for immigration enforcement, preventing federal immigration officers from entering hospitals, clinics and schools, and expanding community legal and "rapid response" support.

What council members said: Councilwoman Perez requested staff develop and post multilingual "Know Your Rights" materials, including indigenous languages, on the city's website; to vet credible community resources; and to explore a small grant to expand community education. "As the District 6 council member, I feel it is incumbent on me to consider the demonstrations and comments from my constituents and to take action on it," Perez said.

City Manager response: City Manager Diego also addressed enforcement questions, saying, "our police department does not cooperate with ICE. That is not only a city police department policy, that's also California state law." He said staff would be responsive to council direction and that staff had transcribed public comments and would coordinate follow-ups.

What did not happen: The council did not adopt a sanctuary ordinance or vote to amend the 2017 resolution during the Feb. 4 meeting. Several council members said they would convene with staff and community groups to gather information before any formal action.

Community organizers urged faster movement. "We're here trying to get you guys to just do what we should have done in 2017, declare sanctuary status," said Raul Lopez, who helped draft the 2017 measure.

Next steps: Multiple council members asked staff to return to a future agenda with vetted materials and options for council consideration, and staff said it would prioritize coordinating with local nonprofits and community leaders who asked for specific protections and education materials. The council did not set a final timeline for a policy vote.

Taper: Residents who spoke said they will press the council to move quickly; council members said they would compile information and meet with local groups before any ordinance is drafted.