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Goleta officials acknowledge immigrant community fear, schedule Feb. 18 law-enforcement briefing
Summary
City officials said heightened U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity has prompted fear among Goleta residents and announced a Feb. 18 item for the sheriff's lieutenant to discuss county policies and take questions.
City of Goleta officials told the council and the public that recent reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity have caused “fear and uncertainty” among residents and said the council will invite Sheriff’s Department representatives to answer questions at the Feb. 18 council meeting.
The city manager said the city is “committed to providing services to all community members regardless of immigration status” and pointed to California Senate Bill 54 (the California Values Act) as limiting local law enforcement participation in federal immigration enforcement except in defined circumstances. The manager said the city will post resources and local guidance on its website by the end of the week and invited Sheriff Lt. Frank Vasquez to appear on Feb. 18 to discuss the sheriff’s policies and take council questions.
Council members described community reports of heightened fear among mixed-status families, multi‑generation residents and school staff, and urged additional outreach. “I've heard from residents who are making decisions about whether or not they should leave Goleta,” Council Member Luis Reyes Martin said, describing calls from families and teachers worried about school safety and potential detentions.
Council members asked city staff to broaden outreach beyond social media to reach residents who may be most vulnerable, and Council Member Carriaco urged using multiple channels to distribute the city’s resources. No formal policy change was proposed; staff said the Feb. 18 meeting would include the sheriff lieutenant to explain county practices and answer questions from council and the public.
The council’s comments and the manager’s announcements took place during the meeting’s reports and public forum segments rather than as a formal agenda item. Staff said they participated in statewide discussions with city attorneys and will provide updates to the council as state and federal guidance evolves.
The council did not take formal action tonight on enforcement policy; it scheduled a public discussion with Sheriff’s Department staff for the February 18 meeting and directed staff to post resources online.
