Santa Maria council adopts resolution supporting immigrant residents after heated public plea for ad hoc committee

The Santa Maria City Council voted to adopt a resolution expressing support for immigrant residents on Feb. 3 after an extended public comment period in which dozens of residents urged the creation of a temporary ad hoc immigration committee and raised concerns about recent federal immigration enforcement activity in the city. The measure passed 4–1.

Speakers across the public-comment period described heightened fear in immigrant communities and asked council to take concrete steps beyond a statement of support. “I respectfully ask the city council to place this item in the future agendas,” said Maydelia Aguirre, a student council president (Maydelia Aguirre). Organizers and residents repeatedly proposed actions such as sending Freedom of Information Act requests after local arrests, allocating city-owned space to nonprofit legal and support groups, and establishing clear signage for “ICE-free” spaces on city property.

City Manager David Rollins, presenting the staff report, said the resolution responds to a council request to bring the item back for adoption. Council members asked staff whether the city had written policies about how to respond if federal immigration agents seek access to city facilities. “We don't have any written policies,” Rollins said, adding that staff treat federal agents the same as any resident who comes on city premises and would contact the police department if assistance were needed.

Santa Maria Police Chief Williams told the council the department “does not collaborate, work, or enforce any immigration laws, nor do we ask anyone what their immigration status is,” and described department outreach and training efforts to ensure officers understand state laws that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Several council members pushed to broaden the resolution to include explicit language on training, reporting and restrictions on city resources. Council member So to (last name as on the record) proposed adding language that would: affirm the city's compliance with state protections, state that the police department does not collect or retain immigration-status information, and prohibit city funds, personnel, facilities or databases from being used to assist federal immigration enforcement. Council discussion centered on whether those substantive policy elements belonged in a resolution or in separate policy action to be developed by staff and reviewed for legal sufficiency.

Council voted by roll call: Council member Aguilera — Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Flores — Aye; Council member Escobedo — Aye; Council member Sotto — No; Mayor Patino — Aye. The clerk announced, “Motion carries.” The record does not specify the mover or seconder of the final motion on the floor.

Speakers singled out a series of community harms they said flowed from enforcement actions. Michelle (policy advocate) told council “as of today, there have been 1,571 confirmed kidnappings throughout the region with 401 of those right here in Santa Maria,” a figure she presented during public comment; that number was offered as testimony and is not independently verified in the council record. Multiple speakers also described instances they said amounted to excessive force during local immigration operations; Mayor Patino acknowledged the community’s pain while also recalling prior violent gang incidents in the city and stressing the city’s limited legal authority over federal enforcement.

Council directed staff to collect information and suggested returning with clearer language, training proposals and, where legally permissible, policy options that could be enforced by the city manager. The resolution adoption marks a formal expression of support for immigrant residents; proponents and several residents said they will press for a follow-up ad hoc committee or ordinance to add the operational elements they sought.

The council also heard a ceremonial proclamation honoring firefighter Joseph Glenn Alexander and received routine reports. The meeting was adjourned after council recognition of people named as having died in ICE custody in 2026.

The full text of the resolution, any proposed amendments, and the city manager’s follow-up memo were not included in the audio transcript and may be published later by city staff.