FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2025

Contact: Carlos Perea, carlos@harborinstituteoc.org 

Santa Ana City Councilmembers and Immigrant Rights Organizations Advocate for Transparency and Public Notification of ICE/DHS Activity in the City

The policy push follows a report by the Inadvertent that raised serious concerns about the Santa Ana Police Department’s awareness of local ICE activity.

Santa Ana, CA – Immigrant rights organizations, Mayor Pro Tem Benjamin Vazquez, and Councilmembers Johnathan Hernandez will hold a press conference today at 3:30 PM in front of the Santa Ana City Council Chambers, calling on the City Council to enact an ordinance requiring public disclosure of all ICE courtesy notifications received by the Santa Ana Police Department within 48 hours.

The press conference is scheduled ahead of today’s City Council meeting, during which Councilmembers Hernandez and Mayor Pro Tem Vazquez will introduce an item for discussion to consider directing the city manager and city attorney to bring back an ordinance mandating transparency around ICE activity in the city.

“Community members deserve timely, accurate information about ICE activity in their neighborhoods,” said Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez. “Ensuring transparency in ICE communications with SAPD will help build trust and confidence in our city government.”

Mayor Pro Tem Benjamin Vazquez stated, “Santa Ana is proud to be a Sanctuary City and this policy would reinforce the spirit of existing local and state laws, including the California Values Act (SB 54), by ensuring immigrant families feel safe in their own communities.”

“In the current political climate, it is the responsibility of city leaders to take action that instills confidence in their commitment to do everything they can for their immigrant and refugee residents,” said Indigo Vu, Operations & Programs Manager with VietRISE. “This policy would do exactly that, and we call on the City Council to support it.”

What: Press conference in support of ordinance mandating transparency of ICE activity

When: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 3:30PM

Where: Santa Ana City Council Chamber | 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701

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