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COUNCILCOMMENTS <br /> AB1234 DISCLOSURE — If the City paid for travel or other expenses this is the time for <br /> members of the Council to provide a brief oral report on attendance of any regional board <br /> or commission meeting or any conference, meeting or event attended. <br /> MINUTES: Councilmember Phan thanked everyone who spoke. She questioned staff <br /> about whether the City had made any requests for federal immigration or border <br /> security agencies to be present in the city, whether the City had collaborated with the <br /> National Guard or specifically asked for their presence, raised concerns regarding <br /> reports of community members being detained by unidentified individuals who were <br /> presumed to be immigration agents, asked for clarification regarding a phone call the <br /> City Attorney received from the U.S. Attorney related to the City assisting in securing <br /> the federal building, and whether the City Attorney had previously received a direct call <br /> from the U.S. Attorney. <br /> City Manager Alvaro Nunez confirmed the City had not made any requests for the <br /> agencies to be present in Santa Ana. Police Chief Robert Rodriguez confirmed the City <br /> had neither requested the National Guard's presence nor collaborated with their efforts. <br /> City Attorney Sonia Carvalho confirmed the City had received such calls before, but <br /> none were related to immigration; they were for other ongoing investigations. <br /> Councilmember Phan inquired regarding the essence of the U.S. Attorney's message, <br /> stating she understood that it was a threat about sending in the National Guard if the <br /> city did not help clear the federal building and requested clarification about the use of <br /> the term "overrun." <br /> City Manager Nunez responded that the U.S. Attorney requested help and assistance <br /> for federal agents and staff and that it was the U.S. Attorney that used the term <br /> "overrun." <br /> in response to Councilmember Phan, Police Chief Rodriguez confirmed that City police <br /> officers secured the federal building's sidewalks in an effort to prevent the National <br /> Guard from being deployed to Santa Ana; to which Councilmember Phan noted that <br /> the National Guard was deployed anyway and she asked the City Attorney if there was <br /> any law the city council could use to remove ICE from Santa Ana. <br /> City Attorney Carvalho stated the city has no authority to prevent ICE from operating <br /> within its boundaries. <br /> Councilmember Phan stated the city lacks any legal means to prohibit or remove ICE <br /> from Santa Ana, noting that if it were possible, Los Angeles would have already done <br /> so, and asked whether the city had any authority to remove Border Patrol. <br /> City Attorney Carvalho confirmed that the city does not have the authority to remove <br /> Border Patrol or the National Guard, noting that even the Governor, with significantly <br /> more power and the support of the California Attorney General, has been unsuccessful <br /> in forcing the National Guard out of the state. <br /> CITY COUNCIL. 22 JUNE 17, 2025 <br />