Monrovia residents urge council to probe ICE‑linked deaths and consider sanctuary‑city ordinance

Several Monrovia residents used the public‑comment period on July 21 to press the council on immigration‑related deaths and to ask for local action. Sherry Lochner, who identified herself as a Monrovia resident, asked the council to continue pursuing an independent report into the death of Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez and to adopt an ordinance declaring Monrovia a sanctuary city. She also asked the city to work with community members to establish a permanent memorial and announced a vigil scheduled for Aug. 15 at the Monrovia Home Depot.

"We should be shocked and outraged at the deaths of these people regardless of their immigration status," Lochner said during public comment, and she urged the council to continue work on an independent investigation and memorial plans.

Other speakers provided data and context. David Pinto noted differing public counts of deaths in ICE custody and enforcement and said some data are inconsistent; he described using AI to cross‑check counts and urged focus on victims as well as perpetrators. A separate speaker read a list of names the speaker said represented people who have died in the last two years to underscore calls for further scrutiny and remembrance.

The council took the comments under advisement. City Manager Dylan told the council earlier in the meeting that the California Highway Patrol had requested a 30‑day extension in response to a records act request for the investigative report into the death of Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez, and staff said they would continue to press for information and coordinate with state officials where appropriate.