The ongoing debate within the Fullerton City Council regarding the potential joining of a lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked public concern and demands for transparency. Critics argue that the council should not hold discussions surrounding this crucial agenda item in closed sessions, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the decision-making process.

In 2018, the council previously faced a similar situation when considering joining a lawsuit initiated by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions against California’s Values Act. This legislation aimed to protect sanctuary cities by limiting local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration agencies. The council held that discussion during a regular public meeting, which drew considerable public interest. Community members expressed their opposition, filling nearby spaces and speaking late into the night. The outcry ultimately led to a decisive vote against the measure, even with Mayor Pro Tem Sebourn, who initially supported the agenda item, voting against it.

Now, as the council prepares for a meeting on August 19, concerns are once again being raised about the handling of a proposal to join a class-action lawsuit against ICE due to its alleged unlawful actions that have impacted local immigrants. This move is backed by Council Member Dr. Ahmad Zahra and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shana Charles and aims to align Fullerton with other cities already taking action against ICE.

Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung recently canceled the initial meeting that was scheduled for August 5. Instead, he chose to participate in the Fullerton Police Department’s National Night Out event, which has pushed the discussion to August 19. This cancellation marks the second consecutive month that the first meeting has been called off. Combined with a previously scheduled recess in September, this brings the total number of cancellations to three over the last three months. Critics argue that these decisions demonstrate a neglect of duty by the council, especially given that the city, which has a larger population than most other cities in Orange County, requires its representatives to engage with pressing issues.

The proposed agenda item is set against a broader backdrop of legal actions being taken by numerous municipalities against the federal government’s immigration enforcement practices. Notably, a recent announcement from Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto detailed an expanded coalition of cities joining the lawsuit led by Los Angeles against the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU and other advocacy groups, alleges that ICE and Customs and Border Protection have conducted operations without sufficient legal justification.

As the August 19 council meeting approaches, community advocates are urging council members to engage with residents openly and transparently, arguing that it is crucial to hold discussions in a public forum where constituents can express their views on this significant issue impacting the immigrant community in Fullerton.

Residents are encouraged to make public comments at the beginning of the meeting; however, each speaker is limited to 3 minutes. Please note that the Mayor sometimes moves Public Comments and significant items to the end of the meeting to discourage speakers. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM. City Hall is located at 303 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton. For more information, you can contact the Council at (714) 738-6311 or council@cityoffullerton.com. Upcoming agenda information and streaming video of meetings can be found at http://www.cityoffullerton.com by clicking on “Meetings and Agenda.” Click here.

You can also call or email your city council representative.