“Fight Ignorance Not Immigrants” sign at a recent rally (File Photo – Melissa Michelson)
On Monday evening in their respective city council meetings, the cities of Pasadena and Alhambra addressed what to do about the growing ICE raids in the community.
By Melissa Michelson
Pasadena and Alhambra are both considered sanctuary cities, but that hasn’t stopped ICE activity in their communities.
Pasadena’s response
In addition to the raids occurring across L.A. County, several high-profile ICE actions took place in Pasadena over the past five days, prompting protests and the cancellation of park activities over the weekend. And there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
On Monday night, the Pasadena City Council voted unanimously for its finance committee to create an immigrant defense assistance fund, which could be used for legal defense, groceries, and rent for families affected by ICE raids.
Immigrants across the county have been fearful to leave their homes, as some are reportedly being detained by masked men with weapons, at car washes, tamale stands, or in front of big-box hardware stores, and transported away in unmarked vehicles.
Pasadena Councilman Jason Lyon reminded the packed room—many holding signs reading “ICE out of Dena”—that Pasadena law enforcement does not cooperate with immigration enforcement actions. If a family member is taken, he urged, a kidnapping report should be filed with the Pasadena Police Department.
“We have a federal government full of thugs and criminals who do not respect the rule of law, and this is without precedent,” Lyon said.
Councilman Rick Cole followed with: “Never before has the federal government attacked the American people. Let’s work together as a community because they cannot fight all 140,000 people.”
Mayor Victor Gordo also expressed outrage over what he called a “thrashing of due process and the rule of law,” questioning the legitimacy of the ICE operations.
Earlier in the day, California State Senator Sasha Renee Perez—who previously served as an Alhambra city councilmember before being elected to the state legislature—introduced SB 805, known as the No Vigilantes Act. A similar bill, SB 627, or the No Secret Police Act, was introduced earlier this month by several Bay Area senators.
Alhambra’s response
At the end of Alhambra’s regular meeting on Monday, June 23, during non-agenda public comment, numerous community members called on the city council to defend due process and hold a special meeting to address the ICE raids. Each councilmember supported the idea, and a special meeting is expected in the coming weeks.
The Alhambra Chief of Police informed the council that officers do not ask about immigration status during traffic stops. But for residents like David Bond, a 20-year Alhambra resident, that assurance wasn’t enough. Bond called for ICE agents to present judicial warrants and identify themselves. “Unconstitutional invaders and marauders are violating our system of due process, kidnapping U.S. citizens and holding them for 24 hours,” he said over Zoom.
Lifelong resident Katie Chan expressed disappointment that the issue wasn’t originally on the night’s agenda, urging the council to schedule a special meeting instead. Under the California Brown Act, special meetings may only address the specific issue for which they are convened.
Resident Beverly Murata asked the council to adopt an official policy to protect Alhambra residents. She cited the mayor of Huntington Park, who has directed local law enforcement to intervene in unauthorized operations when public safety or civil liberties are at risk.
Alhambra is no stranger to ICE. One early morning in February, ICE used the Target parking lot as a staging area, until anti-ICE activists disrupted the operation and agents dispersed.
“We’re seeing impersonation, no ID, no licenses,” said Edward Escarsega, who added that his young son gets nervous every time he sees a car with no plates and tinted windows.
Councilman Ross Maza, a former undocumented immigrant himself, echoed many of the speakers’ concerns. “ICE has been in the city of Alhambra. Sometimes they identify themselves, but sometimes they don’t,” he said. He recalled seeing someone earlier that day “who fit the profile” and was changing the license plate on his car. “That couldn’t have been legal,” he said. However, he added, “We can’t interfere with ICE’s legal duties.”
Nearly all councilmembers shared their own experiences as immigrants or as spouses of immigrants.
Pablo Alvarado delivers a statement on “No ICE in Pasadena” at the Pasadena City Council meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025 (Photo – Brian Biery)
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