Costa Mesa leaders approved new safeguards for immigrants and committed city funds to direct aid in response to rising ICE activity in 2025. On August 6, the City Council backed California’s No Vigilantes Act and set aside $100,000 for emergency support.
The council voted 5–0 to endorse SB 805, introduced by State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, and to fund the Enough for All coalition. Officials said both steps aim to reduce fear, stop impersonators, and help families too scared to leave home.
What the No Vigilantes Act does
- Requires officers involved in immigration enforcement to show visible IDs and credentials.
- Allows local police to ask anyone claiming to be an officer to show proper ID.
- Makes impersonation of an ICE agent or police officer a misdemeanor.
- Explicitly bars bounty hunters from posing as immigration agents or joining immigration actions under false claims.
City staff say these rules help stop scams, protect due process, and give residents a clearer way to confirm who’s an officer and who isn’t. The city will also send a formal letter supporting the bill to state lawmakers.
Why Costa Mesa acted now
Community groups reported more immigration sweeps in early 2025 across Orange County. Families described children skipping school and workers avoiding jobs and groceries out of fear.
The Enough for All network, a coalition of local churches first formed during the pandemic, relaunched to provide food, supplies, and ride support for residents living in hiding. Costa Mesa added $100,000 to this effort, noting the coalition previously raised more than $700,000 during COVID‑19 for families in crisis.
Advocacy groups such as Resilience OC and OC Rapid Response Network urged the city to go further by:
– Supporting legal defense funds.
– Tracking evictions tied to immigration enforcement.
– Considering lawsuits to increase transparency from federal agencies.
Roberto Herrera of Resilience OC noted Costa Mesa became the second city in the county, after Santa Ana, to invest in protecting due process in immigration court. Sandra De Anda of OC Rapid Response Network urged the city to join suits and demand details about federal activity in Costa Mesa.
Key voices at City Hall
- Council champions, including Andrea Marr and Arlis Reynolds, argued the city must reduce fear and support basic rights. They emphasized that clear IDs and strong local support help families tell real officers from impostors.
- Mayor John Stephens presided over a tense but orderly meeting that resulted in a unanimous vote in favor. One member was absent and another left early; the measure still passed easily.
Practical help for families
Enough for All will use the city’s $100,000 to:
– Deliver groceries, diapers, and gas cards.
– Fund small emergency grants.
– Arrange safe rides to clinics, school pickup, and court.
The coalition will also:
– Share safety tips on checking ID, documenting encounters, and contacting verified legal aid.
– Provide referrals to trusted legal providers, including Catholic Charities of Orange County and Jewish Family Service, which offer low-cost or free help to eligible households.
How the bill protects residents
Supporters describe the No Vigilantes Act as simple, common-sense rules:
– If someone claims to be an officer, they must show who they are.
– Local police can step in and ask for proof.
– Lying about being an ICE agent is a crime.
Advocates say these tools cut down on fake raids, false arrests, and coercion by impostors. State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez framed SB 805 as a public safety measure to reduce confusion, noting that clear identification helps everyone—including mixed‑status families and U.S. citizen children who face trauma when false officers target their homes.
Clear identification, local oversight, and direct aid are intended to reduce fear and protect due process for families impacted by immigration enforcement.
Community pressure and next steps
Advocates plan to keep pushing for:
1. A formal legal defense program for low-income residents in immigration court.
2. City tracking of evictions linked to immigration actions and landlord threats.
3. Regular public reports on federal sweeps in Costa Mesa.
Officials indicated they may join broader litigation seeking limits on enforcement tactics they say lack transparency. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that city support for state bills and local aid often spreads regionally, as neighboring councils look for models to calm fearful communities.
What affected families can do now
- Ask for ID: If approached by someone claiming to be police or ICE, request visible credentials. Note badge number and agency; take a photo if safe.
- Stay silent about status: You have the right to remain silent. You can say, “I choose to remain silent.” You don’t have to sign anything you don’t understand.
- Don’t open the door to unknown officers: Ask them to slip a warrant under the door. For home entry, a judicial warrant signed by a judge is usually required. Administrative warrants aren’t enough to enter a private home without consent.
- Call local hotlines: OC Rapid Response Network can send trained observers and connect you to legal help.
- Prepare a family plan: List emergency contacts, child care plans, and attorney numbers. Keep copies of key documents in a safe place.
For official, plain-language guidance on rights during encounters, see the “Know Your Rights” resources at the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Background across Orange County
Santa Ana and Anaheim already set up aid for families facing deportation. Costa Mesa’s action adds momentum inside the county.
Officials say the combined effect—aid, public education, and a clear stance against impostors—can reduce panic and keep kids in school. They also note that strong ID rules help local police separate real officers from bad actors, which can prevent thefts and scams targeting immigrant households.
What this means for employers and schools
- Employers:
- Workers may miss shifts during enforcement waves. Consider flexible hours or remote options when possible.
- Share verified legal resources with employees of all statuses.
- Schools:
- Provide safe pickup plans and counseling.
- Communicate clearly that campus safety officers are identifiable and trained.
- Reassure students in mixed‑status homes that campus is a safe space.
Questions residents keep asking
- Does city support change federal law?
No. City backing of the No Vigilantes Act supports a state bill and local aid. It doesn’t control ICE, but it can improve safety and information. - Will local police join ICE operations?
The city’s focus is on safety and rights, not immigration status checks. The bill lets police verify IDs from anyone claiming to be an officer, which can deter impersonators. -
What if I’m stopped on the street?
Ask for name, agency, and ID. If safe, record details. You can refuse consent to a search. If detained, ask if you’re free to leave. If not, ask for a lawyer.
How to reach help
- Enough for All: Contact through Costa Mesa church networks for food, rides, and emergency aid.
- Legal services: Catholic Charities of Orange County and Jewish Family Service provide screenings and representation for low-income clients.
- Rapid response: OC Rapid Response Network coordinates observers and legal referrals.
The road ahead
The state legislature will consider SB 805 in the coming weeks. Cities across Orange County will watch Costa Mesa’s results and may weigh their own aid and endorsements of the No Vigilantes Act.
Residents expect:
– More transparency on enforcement.
– Better tracking of harms like evictions.
– Continued pressure for legal support in immigration court.
Costa Mesa officials summed up their stance simply: real officers must show who they are, families deserve help, and impostors will face consequences. For many parents and kids deciding whether to step outside, that clarity matters today.
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