A tense and at times deeply divided Santa Ana City Council meeting Tuesday night, July 1, laid bare the political and emotional strain gripping the city amid a wave of federal immigration raids.
While councilmembers unanimously approved a resolution denouncing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s presence in the city and a formal request for federal records on enforcement activity in Santa Ana, a separate proposal to redirect $1 million from community events to support families impacted by enforcement actions sparked sharp disagreements, and also accusations of political sabotage.
“Unfortunately, because the mayor proposed something, we’re seeing politics rear its ugly head,” Councilmember Phil Bacerra said after Mayor Valerie Amezcua’s proposal to provide relief funds was challenged because of concerns she was “defunding” cultural events.
The debate unfolded as Santa Ana grapples with what some councilmembers described as the visible impact of immigration enforcement: empty bus stops, empty car washes, grocery stores without customers and frightened residents. They said the recent raids have spread confusion and fear in one of California’s most immigrant-rich communities.
The latest spate of immigration sweeps by federal agents began in early June and shows no signs of slowing across Orange County. In Santa Ana — where more than 75% of residents are Latino and an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 are undocumented, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics — the National Guard has been stationed downtown, and some businesses are reporting steep drops in sales and foot traffic. Recent public events and summer field trips have also been canceled.
Aid proposal sparks clash
The most heated discussion of the night came over Amezcua’s plan to establish a temporary aid program for families impacted by immigration enforcement, using up to $1 million from the city’s FY 2025-26 budget. The proposal follows a similar move by neighboring Anaheim, where the city is partnering with the Anaheim Community Foundation to launch a donation-driven relief program.
The funds, allocated for city events including Fiestas Patrias ($498,000), Fourth of July ($115,000), Chicano Heritage ($127,000) and the Tet Festival ($80,000), would have been redirected to help families pay for rent, food, utilities and legal aid if a primary income-earner is detained.
After heated back-and-forth, the council unanimously backed a compromise from Councilmember Thai Viet Phan to allocate 10% of the budget for all identified city events to start the program and revisit it in 90 days or sooner for broader discussion. It will raise about $100,000.
“The reason that I brought this forward was because we are currently in a crisis,” Amezcua said. “I do not want to have any large events where they can come and harm and take our families.”
But Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez opposed cutting cultural programming.
“I don’t support placing mutual aid against the celebration of culture,” he said. “These are events that families look forward to. I don’t think it is the right thing to defund these events.”
Instead, Hernandez proposed using salary savings from vacant Police Department positions. Amezcua pushed back, saying she wouldn’t support taking funding from law enforcement and that Hernandez’s proposal was reckless.
Council calls for ICE, military to leave
Councilmembers also all agreed to call on federal lawmakers to advocate for the removal of ICE, military, and other federal enforcement personnel from Santa Ana.
Citing raids at schools, homes, places of worship, swap meets, medical facilities and other public spaces, they argue ICE’s tactics have disrupted public safety, have had a negative impact on the economy and have damaged trust in the community.
“We’re asking our federal legislators to do their job,” City Manager Alvaro Nuñez said. “This is our statement as the city of Santa Ana that we stand in a moment of frustration … that we stand with our community.”
Bacerra said the adopted resolution should be sent to all federal officials with jurisdiction in Orange County, not just those representing Santa Ana.
“Because the fact of the matter is, there is no federal courthouse in Brea. There is no federal courthouse in San Clemente, which means there is no National Guard posted outside in their cities,” he said.
FOIA request seeks transparency
The council also voted to formally request data from ICE through a Freedom of Information Act request, seeking records of enforcement activity in Santa Ana between Jan. 20 and July 1.
The request includes asking for the time, location and basis for each enforcement action, the names and immigration status of detained individuals, and ICE’s internal guidance on the use of race, ethnicity, national origin or physical appearance in initiating contact with or arresting individuals.
Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez said he wants to know who got arrested, the number of people taken by ICE and where they were taken to best assist family members who are left behind.
But the discussion quickly turned to how — and whether — to share that information publicly. The council’s vote on Tuesday simply gave city staff the go-ahead to submit the FOIA request.
“I think we need to make this request, I’m not in any way opposed to the request,” Bacerra said. “But once we get that, I think we do need to think about what we do with it. I just want to make sure we don’t do anything that accidentally goes against our sanctuary city status.”
Police Chief Robert Rodriguez said publicizing names or arrests could put families at risk.
“Families could be exploited,” he said. “Maybe family members could be collateral damage to some of these federal ICE raids.”
Carvalho noted that the federal government will likely reject the request by claiming an exemption.
Vote on officer ID rule delayed
One final measure, an ordinance proposed by Councilmember Jessie Lopez requiring law enforcement officers to wear visible identification and banning face coverings during public interactions, was delayed until a future meeting.
Lopez warned that agents operating without identification create fear and confusion.
“When we blur the line between legitimate policing and covert intimidation, we all become less safe in our community,” she said.
But staff said the city likely cannot enforce such rules on federal agents. There are efforts at the federal and state levels to pass legislation to force ICE agents to unmask and more clearly identify themselves.
“If we’re giving direction to any of our staff that says you shall enforce this law or you shall interfere, they may view that as obstructing a federal investigation,” City Attorney Sonia Carvalho said.
Bacerra said he supports a resolution backing similar state legislation, but added: “Having our staff put together something that we know before pen meets paper cannot be enforced seems like … a waste of time.”