Members of a Latino rights group say they want Santa Ana council members to declare their city a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, a designation that could give more protection to undocumented residents.
The discussion about making Santa Ana a sanctuary city demonstrates how Latinos are increasingly concerned about the federal government's increasing crackdown on illegal immigrants. On June 22, 175 people were arrested in Orange County on immigration violations during a five-day campaign, the largest single enforcement for immigration fugitives in Orange County. The crackdown netted 27 criminal suspects, including a murder suspect and a convicted child molester.
The fact that Congress did not pass the recent immigration legislation adds to the sense that illegal immigrants are increasingly under attack.
"The arrests make you think that Santa Ana is more vulnerable than other communities and it may be a good idea to make it a sanctuary city where immigrants do not have to be concerned about increased enforcement activity," said Amin David, who heads Los Amigos of Orange County, a civic group. The group discussed the proposal at its meeting last month.
A sanctuary city designation would discourage cooperation between federal immigration authorities and local police. But federal authorities say that although they often work with local police, they do not need local authorization to make immigration arrests. Therefore, the sanctuary designation would mostly be symbolic.
Maywood, in Los Angeles County, garnered national headlines last year when a newly elected, pro-immigrant council majority declared that city a sanctuary.
Felipe Aguirre, the Maywood councilman who pushed the sanctuary resolution, was subsequently the target of death threats by City Clerk Hector Duarte, who opposed the new direction.
Duarte, who was in jail for eight months, was charged with soliciting murder and has two years' probation.
Other cities, including Bell Gardens, Huntington Park, San Francisco, Coachella and El Centro, have adopted the designation, said Hector Alvarado, a Maywood activist.
Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido did not return calls for comment. Other council members said they supported immigrants, but none have yet said they would pursue the designation.
"It's a very radical proposal for Orange County, but it would be humane," Councilman Sal Tinajero said.
