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Long Beach council votes to strengthen Values Act, adds $200,000 for removal-defense and new data protections
Summary
The Long Beach City Council unanimously adopted measures to reaffirm and expand the Long Beach Values Act, asking city appointing authorities to formally commit to the policy, requesting new data-sharing rules, and recommending $200,000 in additional removal-defense funding to the Long Beach Justice Fund.
The Long Beach City Council on Jan. 7 approved a package of actions intended to broaden protections for immigrant residents and strengthen the city's Long Beach Values Act.
The package, introduced as a communication from Vice Mayor Uranga, Councilwoman Zendejas and a council colleague, asks city appointing authorities ' including the Harbor Department, Utilities Department, Police Oversight, City Attorney's Office, City Prosecutor and elected legislative offices ' to sign formal commitments to the Long Beach Values Act; directs staff to draft contract language incorporating the city's data-privacy guidelines; and recommends the City Manager allocate an additional $200,000 to removal-defense services via the Long Beach Justice Fund.
Why it matters: Councilmembers and dozens of public speakers framed the changes as precautionary steps ahead of an approaching federal administration the speakers said they expect will increase immigration enforcement. Supporters said the changes close loopholes in practice and add legal and operational safeguards meant to limit data-sharing and the use of municipal resources in immigration enforcement.
Vice Mayor Uranga, the primary presenter, described the move as a reaffirmation of city values. "It is what makes Long Beach Long Beach," Uranga said, adding that the measures include contract language and new educational materials to help residents understand their rights.
Public testimony ran for more than an hour and included family members of people killed or affected in encounters with police, immigration-rights groups and labor and immigrant advocacy organizations. Max, a community speaker, urged the city to release body-worn camera footage in a recent police-involved death, saying, "It's been 50 days since LBPD officers murdered Brandon Boyd ' release those transcripts." Gabriela Hernandez, identified as executive director of the organization ORALE, told council: "The proposed amendments to the Long Beach Values Act are a critical step forward in closing existing loopholes and expanding protections for all."
Council debate focused on scope and implementation. Councilmember Rick Sodi offered a friendly amendment to require a staff report-back within six months to allow the council to evaluate whether additional steps are needed; the amendment was accepted. Councilmember Thrash Ntuk successfully proposed adding Long Beach Transit, Long Beach Convention Center and the Long Beach Unified School District to the list of entities asked to sign formal commitments.
The council also directed staff to draft standard data-transfer and use agreements for any data-sharing operations and to incorporate the city's data-privacy guidelines into contract language. The motion additionally asked the City Manager to develop outreach materials explaining resident rights and available city resources.
Action and next steps: Council voted to approve the communication and accepted the amendments; the motion carried. The ordinance- and policy-drafting work will be performed by the City Manager and City Attorney, who were directed to return with concrete language and a six-month status report. The adopted direction also includes the recommended $200,000 addition to the Long Beach Justice Fund as part of the city's year-end fiscal recommendations.
Community response and context: Dozens of residents, community groups and state officials voiced support during public comment. A representative for California State Senate Majority Leader Lina Gonzalez noted state-level protections such as the California Values Act (SB 54) and urged local alignment with statewide law. Several speakers asked the council to expand legal defense funding beyond the requested $200,000; others pressed for stronger non-cooperation clauses and a private right of action to enforce the policy.
The council emphasized the measures do not change criminal law or federal immigration authority. Mayor Rex Richardson said the city will continue to work with community groups and city departments to implement the changes and report back as requested.
