Residents press Ontario council for transparency and legal-defense fund after ICE incidents

Residents used the public-comment period at a special Ontario City Council meeting to demand transparency and support after a series of immigration-enforcement incidents that they say have terrorized immigrant neighborhoods.

"Ontario PD's presence that day only serves to undermine public confidence and public trust in local law enforcement," said Brian Sanchez, who identified himself as a lead organizer for the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice. Multiple speakers asked the council to demand a full report from the Ontario Police Department on the July 21 Stater Brothers incident and to create a legal-justice fund to provide defense for immigrant residents. Tina Silva, another commenter, pointed to the city's resources and said, "Ontario's general fund budget is over $447,000,000," arguing the city can and should prioritize a compassion fund similar to Pomona's.

Speakers described two incidents they said have become high-profile: an enforcement action at a grocery store (Stater Brothers) and an entry at a medical facility where, they alleged, ICE agents entered without warrants. Arianna Harrison told the council the police presence "is what they had committed not to be doing," and several commenters said that fear of enforcement has left community members unwilling to call police when they need help. Many asked for both a public disclosure of police actions on July 21 and an advisory or oversight body to ensure transparency.

The council did not adopt any of the requested measures during the meeting. After public comment the council proceeded to scheduled business, including consent items and a public hearing on a development-code amendment.