Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: ROGER BRADLEY, CITY MANAGER
DATE: AUGUST 12, 2025
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING JOINING A JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
TO OVERSEE AND AUDIT FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
OPERATIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will discuss and provide direction to staff regarding joining a Joint Powers Authority to oversee and audit federal immigration enforcement operations.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding joining a Joint Powers Authority to oversee and audit federal immigration enforcement operations.
BACKGROUND
In response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Downey and across the country, the City has emphasized the importance for residents to know and understand their rights. As such, staff developed a dedicated webpage with information and resources to keep community members informed. To bring awareness to these resources, a press release was issued and information was posted on the City’s social media platforms. The webpage offers comprehensive information with links to various resources such as “Know Your Rights” workshops conducted by the County’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, ICE online detainee locator system, immigration legal services directory, and what the City can and cannot do regarding this issue. All of this information and more is available at www.downeyca.org/yourrights . The City developed “know your rights” cards that have been distributed at the Downey City Library. Lastly, the City initiated communications with local organizations to be able to host workshops and events specifically here in Downey for both residents and businesses.
At the July 2, 2025 Special City Council meeting, Mayor Sosa and Councilmember Trujillo asked staff to research options to respond to recent federal immigration operations.
DISCUSSION REGARDING JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE AND AUDIT FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS
AUGUST 12, 2025
PAGE 2
At the July 8, 2025 City Council meeting, City staff provided options and the City Council approved appropriating $10,000 for four immigration rights workshops and $15,000 to be given to three Downey food pantries ($5,000 each) to assist families impacted by recent federal immigration activity. Additionally, the City Council amended the City’s Legislative Platform to include advocacy for federal immigration reform and sent a joint advocacy letter to the City’s federal representatives requesting advocacy on the City’s behalf.
Lastly, the City Council approved a resolution addressing recent actions of the federal government pertaining to immigration enforcement actions within the City.
Also, at the July 8, 2025 meeting, the City Council directed staff to return at the next City Council meeting with a report to discuss joining a Joint Powers Authority that will oversee and audit federal immigration enforcement operations.
ANALYSIS
Joint Powers Authority to Oversee and Audit Federal Immigration Enforcement Operations
At the request of Councilmember Trujillo, Attachment A is a draft Joint Powers Authority resolution led by the City of Lynwood. The Joint Powers Authority will be tasked to oversee and audit federal immigration enforcement operations. More specifically, the proposed JPA would have the following objectives and organizational structure:
Key Objectives
• Audit federal immigration raids for legal compliance. • Litigate when constitutional or due-process violations are found. • Leverage successful legal actions to push for national immigration reform.
JPA Structure
• Invited Members: All Gateway COG member cities.
• Initial Contribution: $100,000 per city; goal of $1 million legal & audit fund. • Governance: One representative per city; super-majority required to initiate lawsuits.
• Transparency: Quarterly public reporting; community advisory input.
The draft resolution was sent to Gateway Council of Government member cities for consideration.
DISCUSSION REGARDING JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE AND AUDIT FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS
AUGUST 12, 2025
PAGE 3
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of joining the Joint Powers Authority will result in an appropriation of $100,000 from the General Fund – Fund Balance to the General Fund Operating Budget for FY 2025-2026.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A: Joint Powers Authority Memo and Draft Resolution
COUNCIL MEMO
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Subject: Proposal to Create a Joint Powers Authority with Gateway Cities for Oversight of Federal Immigration Enforcement
Overview
This memorandum proposes that the City of Lynwood initiate and join a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) with neighboring Gateway cities to oversee and audit federal immigration enforcement operations conducted within our jurisdictions.
The purpose is to ensure that these operations comply with the U.S. Constitution, California state law, and local policies.
Key Objectives
• Audit federal immigration raids for legal compliance. • Litigate when constitutional or due-process violations are found. • Leverage successful legal actions to push for national immigration reform.
JPA Structure
• Invited Members: All Gateway COG member cities.
• Initial Contribution: $100,000 per city; goal of $1 million legal & audit fund. • Governance: One representative per city; super-majority required to initiate lawsuits.
• Transparency: Quarterly public reporting; community advisory input.
Rationale
• ICE raids have repeatedly occurred without adequate transparency or adherence to state and local laws.
• Individual cities lack resources to legally respond or audit these actions on their own.
• A JPA allows for shared funding, coordinated audits, and collective legal standing.
Targeted Litigation
• Focus on due-process violations (4th, 5th, 14th Amendments) and state statutory conflicts; seek injunctive relief, not just damages.
ATTACHMENT A
Community Benefits
• Enhanced constitutional protections for residents irrespective of status. • Deterrence of unlawful enforcement tactics.
• Data-driven advocacy strengthening local bargaining power on future reform.
• Regional solidarity—shared risk, shared voice.
Policy Leverage
• High-profile suits can spur federal rulemaking or congressional engagement—creating political incentive for comprehensive immigration reform (“face-saving” exit ramp).
Fiscal Impact
• Proposed allocation: $100,000 from General Fund or other eligible sources (e.g., ARPA). Cost-effective compared to litigation efforts pursued by a single city. Contingent liabilities: None beyond appropriation; JPA indemnifies member cities via pooled risk fund.
Anticipated Outcomes
Timeline Outcome
6 months JPA formed; staff and legal team
retained
9 months First audit report released
12–18 months Legal action filed if violations are
identified
24 months Federal engagement on policy reform
begins
Next Steps
1. Place the motion on the next Council agenda.
2. Begin outreach to nearby cities for participation.
3. Allocate $100,000 toward JPA formation and operations.
4. Return with a final JPA agreement for Council approval.
5. Place motion on next regular agenda (noticing deadline ≥ 72 hrs).
6. Direct City Manager to circulate draft JPA to invited cities.
7. Schedule joint study session (within 60 days) for prospective member Councils.
Resolution No.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO FORM AND JOIN A JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY (JPA)
WITH GATEWAY CITIES TO MONITOR AND LITIGATE UNLAWFUL FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
WHEREAS, the City of Lynwood recognizes the importance of protecting the constitutional rights of all individuals residing within its jurisdiction, regardless of immigration status; and
WHEREAS, there is a growing concern over federal immigration enforcement operations occurring within Southern California, often lacking transparency, judicial oversight, or compliance with the Constitution and applicable state and local laws; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lynwood and its neighboring cities individually lack the financial and legal resources to independently audit and respond to such enforcement actions; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code §6500 et seq. authorizes cities to form Joint Powers Authorities to jointly exercise common powers, including investigations, legal actions, and public reporting; and
WHEREAS, the formation of a Joint Powers Authority with Southeast Los Angeles cities will enable cost-sharing, coordinated auditing, collective legal standing, and greater regional impact; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lynwood intends to contribute One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) toward the initial formation and operations of the Joint Powers Authority, with a goal of achieving a minimum $1,000,000 pooled fund through contributions from other member cities; and
WHEREAS, this Joint Powers Authority shall be tasked with monitoring federal immigration enforcement activities, conducting legal audits, and initiating litigation where constitutional or statutory violations are identified, with the broader policy objective of encouraging comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
1. SECTION 1. The City Council hereby authorizes the formation of and participation in a Joint Powers Authority, titled the "Gateway Cities Constitutional Integrity JPA", in collaboration with neighboring Gateway cities.
2. SECTION 2. The City Council hereby allocates $100,000 from the General Fund or other eligible source for the purpose of supporting the JPA’s initial operations and legal capacity.
3. SECTION 3. The City Manager and City Attorney are hereby directed and authorized to take all necessary steps to finalize, approve, and execute the Joint Powers Agreement and related documents on behalf of the City.
4. SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and transmit copies to each city invited to participate in the Joint Powers Authority.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this [Insert Date] by the City Council of the City of Lynwood, California.
_______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk