Resol
ution No. 2025-xx Page 1 of 5
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-xx
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA AFFIRMING THE CITY’S CORE VALUES
THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA HEREBY FINDS AND DECLARES AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, elected officials throughout Southern California have expressed concern about recent immigration enforcement actions in their local jurisdictions by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency ("ICE") and specifically the manner in which these actions have been carried out; and WHEREAS, the activities by ICE in Costa Mesa and nearby jurisdictions have disrupted public safety and prompted fear in the local immigrant communities, amidst reports of enforcement activities at homes, schools, places of work, places of worship, and other public areas; and
WHEREAS, there have been reports in the media and elsewhere of aggressive tactics used by ICE agents, including the use of unwarranted force, breaking windows and doors, face coverings, plain clothes attire, unmarked vehicles, other identity concealment, and arrests and detentions of citizens and permanent residents; and WHEREAS, the immigration enforcement actions and presence of large numbers of ICE agents in the region have caused fear, uncertainty, distress, and disruption among many community members; and
WHEREAS, immigration enforcement actions, particularly those conducted through broad workplace raids, have had unintended consequences in California’s key economic sectors, including agriculture, construction, hospitality, and food service, by instilling fear in the workforce, including among individuals with legal immigration status; and
WHEREAS, employers have reported labor shortages resulting from these enforcement actions, as vital workers leave industries that are already struggling to recruit and retain employees, thereby exacerbating California’s affordability crisis and negatively impacting local economies; and
Attachment 1
Resolution No. 2025-xx Page 2 of 5
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa empathizes with and supports all community members who are feeling fear and uncertainty because of recent enforcement activities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa is actively working to identify services, programs, and partnerships to help protect, inform, and assist our most vulnerable residents; and
WHEREAS, while the City Council recognizes that the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over the enforcement of immigration law, and that the City may not either assist or interfere with immigration enforcement activities, the City Council wishes to do everything within its authority to ensure that ICE activities are carried out in accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, the Costa Mesa Police Department does not participate in or assist with immigration enforcement activities by ICE; and
WHEREAS, based on earlier indications by federal authorities, the expectation by local jurisdictions was that recent enforcement efforts would primarily target criminals and violent offenders and while some of this has occurred, there are also reports of uneven enforcement and detention and arrest of individuals without criminal records and/or those who are lawfully present in the United States; and WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges the uncertainty, anxiety, and fear expressed by many members of the community in response to the increased ICE activity, and recognizes its responsibility to speak out against practices that undermine the well-being and cohesion of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA HEREBY RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby finds and determines that the above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein.
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SECTION 2. City staff is hereby directed to maintain and update the Costa Mesa Cares webpage on the City's website that provides links to immigration resources and services.
SECTION 3. T he City Council reminds the community that the City and its Police Department have no ability to enforce federal immigration law and that federal authorities have repeatedly admonished localities not to take any steps that would result in interference with or obstruction of ICE enforcement operations.
SECT ION 4. The City Council calls upon all nonprofit organizations, community service organizations, faith-based organizations, and business within the City of Costa Mesa to work together to contribute time, resources, and financial support to assist individuals and families impacted by the recent ICE activities.
SECTION 8. T
he City Council affirms Costa Mesa's commitment to public safety and inclusivity for all residents and calls upon all law enforcement agencies operating within the City to respect the civil rights of every individual.
SECTION 5. T he City commits to working collaboratively with community-based organizations and non-governmental organizations to identify opportunities to better support those impacted by ongoing immigration enforcement activity.
SECTION 6. C ity staff is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to all elected members of Congress whose jurisdiction includes any part of the City of Costa Mesa.
SECTION 7. I
f any section, subsection, clause or phrase in this Resolution or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is for any reason held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this Resolution or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Resolution and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases or the application thereof to any person or circumstance be held invalid.
SECTION 8. T his Resolution shall become effective upon its adoption.
SECTION 9. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this ___day of _____, 2025.
_____________________________
John Stephens, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________ _____________________________ Brenda Green, City Clerk Kimberly Hall Barlow, City Attorney
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THIS PAGE IS RESERVED FOR THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 1 9-xx and was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting held on the ___day of _____, 2025, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the City of Costa Mesa this ___day of _____, 2025.
___________________________
Brenda Green, City Clerk