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Residents press Rancho Santa Margarita council over mayor’s remarks about ICE
Summary
Dozens of residents told the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council they were alarmed by comments they attributed to Mayor Tony Beal supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city, and urged the council to retract the remarks or hold the mayor accountable; council members offered information about local law‑enforcement relationships but took no formal action.
Dozens of residents addressed the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council during two public‑comment periods to condemn remarks they said Mayor Tony Beal made at a prior meeting expressing support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city. Jacqueline Martin, a resident who spoke during the first public comment period, told the council, “You should be ashamed of yourself,” and said she was “ashamed that you represent our city.”
Speakers listed multiple allegations of misconduct by federal immigration agents, recounted recent cases of deaths in custody and injuries during enforcement actions, and urged the council to distance itself from those tactics. Brianne Boyle, who said she had reviewed the mayor’s prior comments, said residents were frightened and asked, “Do you which do you support, the constitution or the violation of it?”
The remarks prompted several councilmembers to respond from the dais later in the meeting. Council member Barrett told the council she had spoken with the city’s police chief and with county officials and said the Orange County Sheriff’s Department “does not partner with ICE on immigration enforcement,” adding that federal immigration policy and enforcement fall outside the city’s authority.
Council members did not move to censure or discipline the mayor during the meeting, and no formal vote on the matter was taken. Instead, the meeting proceeded through its agenda and concluded with a closed‑session discussion on anticipated litigation that produced no reportable action.
The public speakers asked for specific next steps, including a retraction from the mayor and clearer public statements from other councilmembers. Council members acknowledged hearing the comments and suggested residents wishing to pursue further action use the next regular meeting or other civic channels. The council adjourned with no change in its calendar; its next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2026.
The article attributes public statements to residents and records that the council clarified the limits of city authority over federal immigration enforcement. It does not allege or confirm independent facts about ICE operations beyond what speakers said at the meeting.
