The City of Montebello has approved $100,000 in emergency funding to support families affected by recent federal immigration raids, joining a growing list of municipalities taking independent steps to assist undocumented residents amid heightened enforcement activity.
According to reporting by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the Montebello City Council unanimously approved the funding on Wednesday, June 25, establishing the Montebello Humanitarian Services Program. The initiative will offer confidential case management, legal rights workshops, and other support services aimed at families directly impacted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the area.
“The recent ICE raids have left a lot of families torn, traumatized and without a safety net,” said Montebello Mayor Salvador Melendez during the meeting, as reported by the Tribune. “Wherever you are in the political sphere, it’s just wrong to tear families apart.”
The announcement comes amid widespread concern in the community following unannounced ICE activity at local parks. On June 20, city officials confirmed reports of agents in public areas and promptly canceled a scheduled movie night at the George Hensel Aquatic Center. In a statement on Facebook, the city said the event was canceled “out of an abundance of caution,” emphasizing that “no other special events” would be held that weekend.
Montebello, located about 10 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, is home to a predominantly Hispanic population. More than 80 percent of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to city demographic data. Local officials have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable residents, regardless of immigration status.
“The City of Montebello is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of all members of our community,” read a statement posted on the city’s official Facebook page. “Federal agents did not inform the City of their arrival, and we did not receive any advance alerts regarding their activity.”
City officials also clarified that neither Montebello nor its police department participates in immigration enforcement operations, houses detainees or cooperates with federal immigration agencies.
Councilmember Scarlet Peralta acknowledged the limitations municipalities face when responding to federal enforcement actions but said the program reflects Montebello’s values.
“These are difficult decisions,” she said during the meeting, according to the Tribune. “Balancing a fine line of protecting and showing up for our community but at the same time being handcuffed with the reality of what we can do legally.”
The new program will be administered with strict confidentiality protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and officials say all services will be designed to prioritize safety, discretion, and accessibility.
“This is about stability and dignity,” Mayor Melendez said. “We are hard-working families, families and community members who deserve stability, dignity, regardless of their immigration status.”