Downey council holds closed session on anticipated litigation after heated public comments on immigration enforcement

Downey Mayor Sosa called a special City Council closed-session meeting at 4:17 p.m. to discuss anticipated litigation related to recent immigration enforcement actions. Residents used the public comment period to press the council for clarity and action; speakers argued both that local resistance to federal enforcement would be inappropriate and that the city had failed to protect residents from aggressive enforcement tactics.

The mayor asked staff to research what neighboring cities have done to assist people affected by immigration enforcement and asked that the topic be added to the council genda for follow-up. "I'd like to have us entertain being consistent with, in providing potential resources that are similar to what neighboring cities have provided," Mayor Sosa said, and said he would draft a letter to the city elegation to urge "a comprehensive lasting solution to immigration" and "a clear path to citizenship." He invited council colleagues to sign the letter.

Public commenters framed the issue in starkly different ways. A commenter who identified themself as "Peace choir, Vietnam, veterans, civil rights advocate" asked, "How can we, the people, make informed comments without knowing who and why you are suing?" Other speakers accused the council of improperly adopting sanctuary policies and questioned whether the city should spend resources on litigation against the federal government. Anna Hennens, who identified herself during public comment, said enforcement practices were "cruel and inhumane" while also noting, "The consequence of coming here illegally is deportation, and that's the law of this land."

Council members discussed nonbinding options for local response, including examining joint arrangements with neighboring cities, following models such as El Monte—ares, and considering a resolution denouncing federal actions similar to Huntington Park nd a proposed local face-covering ordinance provided as a sample by retired state Senator Martha Scutia. At least one council member moved to close public comment during the meeting; the motion was seconded and the council proceeded to recess to closed session.

The council recessed at 4:37 p.m. and reconvened at 5:33 p.m. City Attorney Funk reported after the closed session that "there was no reportable action from tonight's proceeding." The special meeting was adjourned at 5:33 p.m.

Next steps the council identified included a staff report on neighboring cities' responses to immigration enforcement and the mayor's draft letter to federal representatives; council members suggested the staff report would be placed on an upcoming agenda with limited staff analysis and returned for further consideration.