Officials in Anaheim voted to join a federal lawsuit against ICE raids across Southern California – making it the second Orange County city looking to join the lawsuit.
The suit, filed on behalf of five people arrested during immigration sweeps in Los Angeles County, alleges federal immigration officers are racially profiling people and using excessive force to make warrantless arrests.
On Tuesday, Anaheim City Council members voted unanimously behind closed doors to join Los Angeles and a host of LA county cities in the lawsuit spearheaded by the ACLU – a legal challenge California Attorney General Rob Bonta has also supported.
“Joining this lawsuit sends a message that we will not idly stand by while indiscriminate and inhumane immigration enforcement leaves our residents in fear, businesses without customers and our community and economy shaken,” Mayor Ashleigh Aitken said in a text message Tuesday night after publication of this article.
“We will continue to address the basic needs of our community locally, but we also need to advocate in the courts of law.”
The city’s announcement came around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday night, not long after the public portion of the city council meeting started.
“By seeking to join the lawsuit, Anaheim is looking to provide city input on enforcement concerns and impacts to our residents, neighborhoods and businesses,” reads a Tuesday city news release.
Department of Homeland Security officials have repeatedly denied using racial profiling tactics to make stops and arrests, arguing that the deportation sweeps they have conducted have been carefully targeted.
Challenging ICE Raids in Southern California
The Anaheim City Council’s vote comes almost two weeks after a federal judge in the case temporarily blocked the Department of Homeland Security from detaining people in Southern California solely based on their race, language or occupation.
The judge also ordered that detainees be allowed access to legal representation.
[Read: Federal Judge Orders Immigration Agents to Halt Stops Based on Race]
The temporary restraining order covers the U.S. Central District of California, which includes the counties of Orange County, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino and Riverside.
Last week, Santa Ana became the first Orange County city to look at joining the legal challenge.
[Read: Santa Ana Becomes First OC City to Join Federal Lawsuit Against ICE Raids]
Santa Ana City Councilman David Penaloza said that joining the federal lawsuit is the only option cities have to fight back against the ICE raids.
“Last week, the City of Santa Ana took a stand and joined the federal lawsuit against ICE and DHS, and I commend the Anaheim City Council for doing the same,” Penaloza wrote in a Tuesday text message.
“This isn’t just about immigration anymore, it’s about defending our constitutional rights and pushing back against the gross federal overreach we are witnessing.”
Penaloza also said he hopes Orange County Supervisors and OC cities led by Republican elected officials also join in challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s deportation sweeps.
Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento said he is considering asking his fellow colleagues on the board to join the lawsuit and pass a resolution condemning racial profiling in immigration enforcement.
“I am considering introducing a resolution requiring federal law enforcement agents to disclose identification during detentions, reaffirm the county’s commitment to due process rights, condemn racial and ethnic profiling in enforcement, and requesting that Orange County intervene and join the federal lawsuit,” reads a statement from Sarmiento that came after publication of this article Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, I doubt these items will receive majority support.”
He added he has filed a letter in support of the lawsuit because supervisors won’t meet until August.
Two Republican assembly members from Orange County have raised concerns about the raids by signing onto a letter with their colleagues urging President Donald Trump to focus ICE on criminals.
The letter from the contingent of Republican state lawmakers – signed by local Assemblywomen Laurie Davies and Diane Dixon – said the current deportation tactics are hurting businesses and local communities.
[Read: Two OC Republican State Legislators Join Effort to Refocus ICE on Criminals]
Santa Ana City Councilwoman Jessie Lopez said the more cities that join the lawsuit, the clearer the message will be to the federal government.
“We will not stay silent while our communities are targeted,” she wrote in a Tuesday evening text message.
“We need a united front to stand up for our immigrant neighbors. Our residents should have the right to safety, dignity, and due process—not fear.”
Councilman Ben Vazquez echoed similar sentiments – saying that cities acting in unity is one of the most effective ways to push back against “unjust” immigration tactics.
“When local governments act together, we send a clear message: we will not be complicit. Anaheim’s decision strengthens that front, and I hope more cities join in this collective defense of our communities,” he wrote in a Tuesday evening text message.
Santa Ana City Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez called Anaheim joining the lawsuit “progress for Orange County residents” in a Tuesday evening text message.
Responding to Immigration Sweeps in Anaheim
Karen Hernandez, Advocacy and Community Organizing Manager for the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law and volunteer with the OC Rapid Response Network, said residents are demanding Anaheim take a stand to protect immigrants and she is relieved the city joined the lawsuit.
“Our community defense and ICE watch teams have witnessed the city of Anaheim be one of the most targeted and harmed during these indiscriminate raids,” she said in a Tuesday evening text message after publication of this article.
“I invite and look forward to many other cities joining this fight to preserve our liberties – it’s going to take all of us!”
Marisol Ramirez, interim co-executive director of the nonprofit Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development, said her organization is working with families to complete power of attorney forms and fill out naturalization applications amidst widespread fear of deportations.
“Joining this lawsuit is a critical first step and I commend Mayor Aitken and the City Council for taking it, but let’s be clear: Anaheim must do more,” Ramirez said in a Tuesday text message after publication of this article.
“We need bold, permanent policies that create a true sanctuary city. One that ends all collaboration with ICE, investing in affordable housing, expanding legal defense funds for immigrants, guaranteeing language access across city services, and protecting tenants from unjust evictions.”
Meanwhile, Anaheim has not seen the sweeping deportation efforts since July 9, according to a news release.
The temporary injunction barring most of the sweeping raids was issued July 11.
City officials decided to join the lawsuit one week after they decided to boost their immigrant aid fund with $250,000 to help residents reeling from widespread ICE raids that ramped up last month.
[Read: Anaheim Gives Immigrant Aid Fund a $250K Boost]
Anaheim became the first city to launch an immigrant aid fund followed by Santa Ana.
There’s been a host of residents and activists pushing for similar programs in Costa Mesa and Garden Grove in recent weeks.
More OC cities might join the lawsuit.
Orange City Councilwoman Arianna Barrios said she has been busy bringing forward a resolution Tuesday with Councilwoman Ana Gutierrez to ban ICE from wearing masks and require them to wear visible IDs when they operate in their city.
Barrios said she and Gutierrez might ask their colleagues to join the federal lawsuit.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up calling for that as well tomorrow night.”
Editor’s note: Ashleigh Aitken’s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs Voice of OC’s board of directors.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam.