Montebello council unanimously directs city attorney to join Los Angeles lawsuit challenging federal immigration enforcement

The Montebello City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city attorney to take the steps necessary to join a lawsuit being filed by the City of Los Angeles against the federal government and related enforcement personnel, including ICE, the council announced after a closed session.

City Attorney (reporting out after closed session) said the council had recessed into closed session to consider anticipated litigation and received briefings on two matters; the council provided direction to the city manager and city attorney on both. Mayor Melendez then said the council "has unanimously expressed its intent to join in a lawsuit to be filed with the City of Los Angeles against the federal government and its enforcement personnel, including ICE and related agencies." She moved to authorize the city attorney to take all necessary steps to join the litigation. A second was recorded and the roll call vote was unanimous.

The vote followed a closed-session briefing on possible litigation and public discussion earlier in the meeting about community impacts of immigration enforcement actions in Montebello. The closed-session report stated that the council received briefings and provided direction but took no final action in closed session on other matters reported. The mayor characterized the litigation as the city's effort to join Los Angeles and other neighboring cities "in defending the rights of all residents and families impacted by this outrageous conduct."

No additional details of the proposed litigation were released at the meeting: the city attorney reported that the council provided direction to staff but did not describe the complaint text, the specific legal claims to be filed, or any timetable for filing. The city did say the decision was to authorize the city attorney's office to proceed with joining litigation filed by Los Angeles.

City officials did not attribute any formal council counsel opinions into the public record beyond the closed-session report. The announcement and motion were made after the closed session; council members voted aloud in favor and the motion "passes unanimously." The city did not provide a timetable for filing, nor did staff detail litigation costs or outside counsel arrangements during the session.

Moving forward, the council's direction authorizes city attorneys to prepare necessary pleadings and to coordinate with the City of Los Angeles and other participating jurisdictions; the city will report further actions as appropriate in subsequent public meetings or reports.