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CITY ATTORNEY <br />Sonia R. Carvalho <br />CITY MANAGER <br />Alvaro Nuñez <br />CITY CLERK <br />Jennifer L. Hall <br />20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M-31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702 <br />TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org <br />Councilmember-Requested Item Report <br />DATE <br />February 4, 2025 <br />TOPIC <br />Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group <br /> <br />COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE <br />Discuss and consider directing the City Manager to complete the following: (1) <br />Reconvene the Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group within the next 30 days and provide a <br />written update to the City Council within this same time frame; and (2) provide on-going <br />written updates, at least once every 30 days, relating to activities undertaken by the <br />Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group and actions taken by the City Manager or their <br />designee in response to recommendations by the Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Background <br />In December 2016, the City of Santa Ana adopted a resolution declaring itself a <br />sanctuary city, reaffirming its commitment to protecting and welcoming immigrants and <br />supporting all residents—regardless of their immigration status. This resolution was <br />further solidified in January 2017 with the adoption of a corresponding ordinance. A key <br />component of these policies was the establishment of the Sanctuary Policy Advisory <br />Group ("Advisory Group"), tasked with advising the City on issues related to the <br />sanctuary city designation and ensuring robust protections for immigrant residents. <br />The Advisory Group's primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: <br />1.Advising the City on immigrant protections and sanctuary city policies. <br />2.Providing recommendations on the use and oversight of the Santa Ana <br />Deportation Defense Fund—a legal defense fund which provides removal <br />defense under the universal representation model to immigrants facing <br />deportation. <br />Current Status <br />It has come to my attention that the Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group has not convened <br />since 2020. Furthermore, no recent updates have been provided by the City Manager or <br />designee to the City Council regarding the Advisory Group's activities or the overall <br />status of Santa Ana’s sanctuary city initiatives. This lack of engagement and <br />accountability pose potential risks to the continuity and effectiveness of the City’s <br />immigrant protection measures.