A series of emotional public comments at the Long Beach City Council meeting focused on recent immigration enforcement actions in and around the city and asked elected leaders for stronger protections for immigrant residents.

Several speakers told the council they had witnessed or helped people taken into federal custody during recent enforcement actions. Paris Kavi said he could not find evidence that the city had provided bilingual warnings, legal defense or emergency financial assistance to people affected by the raids. "You claimed Long Beach has acted decisively to protect our community by funding legal defense... We can't seem to find anyone who has received legal defense," Kavi said.

Public commenters described volunteer neighborhood patrols, whistle networks, and community response after raids. Jennifer, a community volunteer, said volunteers were first responders who provide aftercare and legal‑referral work when raids occur. "When raids happen, it's us. It's community volunteers... We show up first. We stay last doing the aftercare that no one else will," she said.

Carrie, who lives in the Wrigley neighborhood and said an ICE raid occurred nearby, asked the council whether the Long Beach Police Department verifies that federal agents are legitimate and whether the city is notified in advance of federal operations. "Why are private citizens the only ones risking their safety to verify what's going on?" she asked.

Councilmembers acknowledged the comments and noted recent county action to require identification for law enforcement in some contexts; Vice Mayor and others said the city will continue to examine coordination with county and regional partners. Councilmember Thrash Ntuk noted a recent county ordinance requiring law enforcement, including ICE agents, to show identification while on duty in LA County (mentioned later in the meeting).

Ending: The council did not adopt immediate new city ordinances at this meeting; speakers were encouraged to follow up with offices and schedule meetings with staff to identify concrete next steps.