Good evening Mayor Patino and Councilmembers,
My name is Ivan Vega, and I serve as the Associate Organizing Director with Future Leaders of America here in Santa Maria. I’m also a member of the 805 Immigrant Coalition, and I’m here to respectfully urge your support for the creation of an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee.
This committee would provide a meaningful space for residents like myself to share how immigration enforcement impacts the health, safety, and well-being of our community.
Recent ICE raids and enforcement actions have spread fear and instability among both documented and undocumented residents—making it harder for families to go to work, send their children to school, and live their daily lives without fear.
As elected representatives, you have a responsibility to serve all residents of this great city.
Right now, many of our immigrant neighbors—many of whom are essential workers and long-time members of our community—are living in fear. This climate of fear affects families, our labor force, the local economy, and most importantly, the overall well-being of our youth and our community as a whole.
By forming an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee, the City of Santa Maria can take an important step toward staying informed, engaged, and responsive to the needs of its immigrant residents.
We respectfully urge your leadership and your vote in support of establishing this committee.