Public concern about recent federal immigration enforcement dominated the public‑comment period of the Santa Maria City Council meeting on Nov. 18, prompting the council to indicate a consensus to submit a request for information to the Department of Homeland Security.

Residents and advocates urged the council to form an ad hoc immigration committee immediately, not in February as previously proposed. Pam Gates of Indivisible Santa Maria criticized the delay, saying the council “missed an opportunity” to address urgent community safety concerns after what she and others described as aggressive ICE tactics. Cliff Solomon, also with Indivisible, urged the council to “act decisively” following a recent East Valley Farms operation, and community members described incidents they said involved flash‑bangs, tactical vehicles and a collision that injured a family.

The urgency of public comment led Council members to request more information from federal authorities. Councilmember (name used in roll call) Escobedo and others supported sending an official information request to the DHS public information officer; the mayor and staff confirmed there was sufficient council interest to pursue the request as a non‑binding action.

City staff and the police chief clarified the city’s limits of jurisdiction in response to the comments. City manager and public‑safety staff told the council they had not been given detailed advance notice by federal agents and that at least one of the enforcement actions discussed took place outside city limits in county jurisdiction. City Attorney Watson told the council that federal law enforcement is not legally required to notify local jurisdictions of enforcement actions, though agencies sometimes provide a heads‑up when local assistance is needed.

Residents and advocates called for concrete steps beyond information gathering. Michelle Ambriz, a policy advocate and volunteer with the 805 Rapid Response Network, asked the council to reallocate funds to immigrant support services and to pursue public records and formal information requests; Rochelle (Rachel) Carr, a nurse volunteering with the 805 Undocu Fund, urged council funding for legal defense resources for affected families.

Next steps: councilmembers signaled a consensus to request a formal report from DHS about the enforcement activities that occurred this past week and weekend; staff said the request would be non‑binding because the matter was not agendized but that a council member could submit the request on behalf of the council if desired. The council did not adopt a formal ordinance or resolution on the matter during the meeting.