Students Tell Cerritos Council They Want Sanctuary‑City Protections; Council Staff Describe Limits on Local Authority

More than 500 student organizers from several local high schools joined a walkout on Feb. 6 and asked the Cerritos City Council on Feb. 9 to declare Cerritos a sanctuary city and adopt policies supporting residents affected by immigration enforcement.

Matteo Ramon, a junior at Whitney High School, told the council students marched through the city and rallied at city hall and other public sites and asked the council to adopt policies similar to those passed by other cities and to create a fund to support residents impacted by ICE actions. “I am here to request that the city council declare Cerritos a sanctuary city and adopt policies provide safety and support for any Cerritos resident impacted by ICE actions,” he said.

Deputy City Manager and Public Safety Manager Ryan Carey responded that local law‑enforcement deputies do not participate in federal immigration enforcement and that the city does not have jurisdiction to carry out ICE functions: “our... sheriff's deputies do not partake in immigration activities,” he said, noting the city’s role is to ensure community safety. Councilmember Mark Pulido and others praised the students for civic engagement and said school attendance rules permit an excused absence for participation in civic events when properly noted with the school.

The request prompted discussion but no motion or policy change at the meeting; councilmembers and staff encouraged continued dialogue and noted legal and jurisdictional limits on city actions.