Bakersfield council to explore sanctuary policy after wave of public pleas over ICE activity

Dozens of residents urged the Bakersfield City Council on July 15 to adopt a sanctuary-city resolution and hold a public “Truth Act” forum after what speakers described as intensified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the region.

Manuel Ramirez, introduced to the dais by Abby Power, told the council that recent raids have terrorized local neighborhoods and asked the city to “bring up on the next agenda an ordinance declaring the city of Bakersfield a sanctuary city and protecting our undocumented neighbors.” He also asked for a Truth Act forum so the public could see past and future interactions between the city and ICE.

Lindsay Parker, a parent and resident, told the council “Stop city resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement, create an ICE-free zone on city property, and protect the people who trusted the city enough to call it home.” Other speakers, including Miguel Bautista of the United Farm Workers and Carter Beardsley, urged council action in support of immigrants and criticized federal enforcement practices.

Vice Mayor (self-identified) responded that the administration has seen ICE activity in Bakersfield and Kern County and said the council should act urgently. She asked the city attorney’s office to organize a Truth Act forum and also referred a proposed sanctuary policy for consideration. “We hear time and time again that these are unprecedented times,” she said, urging both transparency and policy work to respond to community concerns.

Council member Gonzales backed a resolution and a Truth Act forum, asking staff to clarify city policies and to make sure any measure accurately reflects state law and limitations. Council member Komen objected to having staff draft a sanctuary ordinance before broader discussion and the city attorney advised that an objection would require the referral to return for a vote at a subsequent council meeting.

Outcome and next steps: the council recorded competing referrals—one to the city attorney to organize a Truth Act forum and another to the laws and legislation committee (with discussion about scheduling a special committee meeting within three to four weeks). No ordinance vote occurred; the matter will return to the council once the committee or city attorney completes the referral work.

The council did not adopt formal policy at the meeting. Instead, the council directed staff to pursue the Truth Act forum and scheduled follow-up work on a sanctuary policy, while members debated the appropriate route for drafting and committee review.