Residents urge Thousand Oaks Council to condemn ICE practices after Thanksgiving apprehensions

Thousand Oaks — Multiple residents used the public-comment period at the Dec. 2 City Council meeting to urge council action and community support in response to recent apprehensions they say involved immigration enforcement officers.

Joseph Dubinsky Jr., a Camarillo resident, described witnessing an early-morning pick-up near Warwick that resulted in a person being taken to Cortez Circle and later returning "bullied into signing their voluntary departure paperwork," he said, urging legal rapid-response training for those who wish to help.

Laura Tribble reported three kidnappings since the prior board meeting and said 33 kidnappings since June in the Conejo Valley, noting most incidents occurred within about a mile of the freeway.

Heather Hamilton thanked council members assisting vulnerable neighbors and said an incident near her home on Thanksgiving illustrated broader dehumanization of marginalized families. Reverend Dr. Betty Stapleford said the person taken was "simply because his skin was the wrong color," and described deportation without warrant and loss of legal support. Remote commenter Rosanna Guerra urged the council to adopt a resolution stating "ICE is not welcome in Thousand Oaks," citing constitutional due-process concerns and asking the council to unite publicly in defense of vulnerable residents.

Council members acknowledged the comments. City Manager Powers noted no follow-up from staff at that moment but thanked speakers. Council members and staff later discussed local funding for nonprofits and community support programs during consent-item discussion.

The meeting record does not show the council taking immediate formal action on an ICE-related resolution at this session; several speakers urged such a resolution for future consideration.