Santa Ana candidates propose stronger protections from immigration enforcement

Santa Ana candidates proposed expanding legal aid and family assistance and reviving a sanctuary advisory board at a Monday forum, according to Voice of OC. The proposals came amid scrutiny of local police for arresting two immigrant advocates who were observing ICE agents.

Santa Ana is Orange County’s only sanctuary city, according to Voice of OC, and already funds deportation defense and assistance for families affected by immigration raids. Ahead of the November election, the arrests have renewed questions about police conduct and how the city carries out its sanctuary policies.

The forum took place at the Delhi Center and was hosted by Resilience OC, Esperanza Union de Inquilinos and Latino Health Access, Voice of OC reported. Candidates discussed limits on police cooperation with ICE and stronger sanctuary protections alongside financial assistance.

Councilman Ben Vazquez, a Ward 2 candidate, called for increasing both legal defense funding and aid to families affected by immigration enforcement. The city established its separate family assistance fund after enforcement increased last year, according to Voice of OC.

Sandra De Anda, a Ward 4 candidate and policy director for the OC Rapid Response Network, proposed restoring the sanctuary advisory board and expanding access to habeas corpus petitions. Isuri Ramos, a Ward 6 candidate and Planning Commission chairwoman, also supported bringing back the board, which has not been re-formed.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, residents and activists spent nearly two hours criticizing council members, largely over the arrests the previous week, Voice of OC reported. Police officials maintain that the department follows state law prohibiting assistance with federal immigration enforcement.

City officials earlier this year barred local officers from taking outside jobs with ICE and other federal immigration enforcement agencies. But a council majority shelved a proposal last year to notify residents about ICE activity, according to Voice of OC.

Mayor Valerie Amezcua and Councilman Phil Bacerra, who did not attend the forum, said during the council meeting that council members do not support ICE activity. Bacerra said all seven council members had voted for measures assisting residents affected by federal immigration enforcement.

The proposals would build on existing assistance programs while reviving an advisory body that remains inactive. Voice of OC’s reporting described those measures as candidates’ plans, not newly adopted city policies.