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Residents press council over alleged ICE activity; council asks staff for report
Summary
Several residents told the Montlair City Council they face repeated ICE activity and demanded a city response including a family support fund and bans on ICE staging; the council asked staff to prepare a report on the city's options and practices and to summarize what other cities have done.
Montlair — Dozens of residents addressed the City Council during public comment to describe repeated federal immigration enforcement activity in specific neighborhoods and to press the council for action. Speakers asked the city to create an emergency fund for families affected by immigration detentions, ban ICE from staging on city property, and stop contracting with firms that share data with immigration authorities.
A written public comment from Tina Silva said Montlair has experienced disproportionately high ICE detentions and alleged that "44 confirmed kidnappings" had occurred in the city; she asked the council to take a public stand. In person, Veronica and Priscilla (residents and volunteers) described specific blocks they say are repeatedly targeted and connected the enforcement activity to harms to children, family stability and public health.
During public comment, outreach specialist Alex Lopez (Reach Out) raised a separate public‑health concern about a substance he described as "70" (7‑hydroxy metitrogenine) being sold at retail and accessible to children; he asked staff to meet and discuss regulatory options.
Council members responded by asking staff to prepare a report on what the city can lawfully do, citing both limits imposed by state law and actions other cities have taken. Council Member Rue moved that staff bring back an item analyzing options including a fund for affected families, a review of contracts that may share data with federal agencies, possible bans on staging on city property, and other protective measures; the council approved the request for a staff report, recorded in the public minutes with a 4‑member majority and one abstention on the motion.
City Manager Star and the police chief were cited during discussion as having previously provided materials to the public about individual rights during encounters with federal immigration officials; staff said many actions are constrained by state and federal law but pointed to examples other cities have used — such as establishing legal‑assistance funds and municipal policies that limit use of city property for federal staging — as potential models.
The council directed staff to prepare a written report summarizing legal constraints, possible administrative or policy actions, funding options used by peer cities, and recommended next steps for council consideration.
Next steps: Staff will return to the council with an informational report and recommendations. Council members indicated the report should include comparisons with neighboring cities and specify whether emergency agenda placement is required for time‑sensitive options.
Public comment highlights: • "I implore you to take a stand against the illegal ICE enforcement experienced by our community," read Tina Silva (written comment). • "Our neighborhood has been targeted starting at 5 in the morning," said Priscilla, who described families' fears and impacts on children. • "I move for an item to be placed on the agenda to discuss Montlair's response to ICE in our city," said Council Member Rue when making the referral motion.
