The Orange City Council on Tuesday, July 22, narrowly voted to table a resolution that would have urged federal immigration agents operating in the city to identify themselves clearly and refrain from wearing masks.
Authored by Councilmembers Arianna Barrios and Ana Gutierrez, the resolution came in response to recent ICE sweeps in Orange County that residents say have caused fear and confusion in immigrant neighborhoods.
The measure didn’t attempt to override federal immigration authority but instead aimed to promote “transparency, accountability and public safety” in the city, according to the draft language.
After hours of public comment and debate, the Council voted 4-3 to table the measure — choosing not to adopt or reject it for now. Several councilmembers said the resolution would have no practical effect, since the city has no authority over how federal agents operate.
It’s unclear if or when the resolution will return for another vote.
Barrios said the goal was to defend residents’ constitutional rights without interfering in federal matters.
“I’m absolutely in support of strong borders. I’m in agreement in deporting violent criminal aliens. I support the president every time he says that, and I just pray it’s true,” Barrios said. “What I’m not in support of is indiscriminate sweeps of our streets and neighborhoods. … I cannot stand by and watch our residents’ civil rights, due processes and freedoms, be in danger.”
The draft resolution would have called on all federal officers in Orange to wear visible identification, avoid masks or disguises and show proper ID upon request.
During the meeting, Barrios held up a black vest she said she bought on Amazon to illustrate how easily someone could impersonate law enforcement.
“This, and a really nice hat, and all of the accoutrements you can put onto an outfit can instantly make you look like you have authority and could do whatever you want to whoever you want in our community,” she said.
Gutierrez also raised concerns about recent ICE actions.
“Our residents need to believe that we are looking out for them, and for their safety, that we won’t stand for them being in unnecessary danger. The resolution is the minimum we can do to honor that commitment of keeping our residents safe,” she said.
Orange Police Chief Adam Jevec, responding to a question from Gutierrez, said local officers don’t operate the way some federal agents are conducting immigration raids. Those operations — involving masked agents and some in plainclothes — are being carried out across the state by ICE, Border Patrol and other special tactical teams from the Department of Homeland Security.
“We police differently, we are held to a higher standard,” Jevec said. “The expectation of our community is that we are transparent and are held accountable. That’s why we wear body-worn cameras, that’s why we have reports, that’s why we have uniforms, name badges and policies that represent that.”
He added that while local police can’t interfere with federal operations, their presence during raids can help reduce confusion.
Councilmember John Gyllenhammer supported most of the resolution but worried it could limit law enforcement discretion.
“I do believe there’s truth that lack of identification could lead to lack of safety and additional conflict,” Gyllenhammer said. “As a statement of opinion, I’m behind this.”
“I support 95% of this, given the fact that it is not a commitment to being a sanctuary city,” he added.
But Gyllenhammer also said discouraging the use of face coverings entirely might take away a tool officers may need to protect themselves in high-risk situations.
Mayor Dan Slater said he shared the concerns but didn’t believe the resolution would change anything.
“I honestly don’t think the federal government is going to listen to what the Orange City Council has to say. Santa Ana and L.A. are finding out the hard way that their efforts in this regard are being completely dismissed, and in fact, they’ve been made targets,” Slater said.
“This issue belongs squarely at the feet of Congress and the courts,” he said. “My fear is that by suggesting that the city of Orange has any authority above the federal government, the military or ICE, is quite frankly misleading the public.”
There are ongoing efforts at the federal and state levels to ban federal agents from wearing face coverings during enforcement sweeps and display clear identification.
Councilmember John Dumitru echoed some concerns raised by Barrios and Gutierrez.
“It does bother me that there’s a bunch of folks running around that aren’t in uniform,” he said. “I think that when you add in confusion, it creates unnecessary tension for everyone involved.”
But he ultimately dismissed the measure.
“It’s a piece of paper that doesn’t matter,” Dumitru said. “Right, wrong, or indifferent, the city of Orange, when it comes to the government, is going to be mute. They don’t care, specifically about us.”
After the vote, Barrios voiced frustration.
“We wouldn’t even be here if you put a simple page on our website,” she said. “That’s what we asked for two weeks ago.”
A prior proposal by Barrios and Gutierrez to create an immigration resource page on the city website was also rejected.