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Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group <br />February 4, 2025 <br />Page 2 <br />Policy Recommendations <br />In light of these findings, the following policy actions are recommended to ensure the <br />revitalization of the City’s sanctuary city policies and the effective functioning of the <br />Advisory Group: <br />1. Immediate Reconvening of the Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group <br />●Action Required: The City Manager or designee should immediately take steps <br />to reconvene the Advisory Group. If there are vacancies within the group, these <br />positions must be filled without delay to ensure full representation and <br />functionality. <br />●Milestone: Reconvening of the Advisory Group should be completed within 30 <br />days of this councilmember-requested item. <br />2. Written Update to the City Council <br />●Action Required: Upon reconvening the Advisory Group, and within 30 days, <br />the City Manager or designee must provide a comprehensive written update to <br />the City Council. This update should include, but not be limited to, the following: <br />○Confirmation of the Advisory Group’s reactivation. <br />○A list of current members, highlighting any new appointments. <br />○A summary of the Advisory Group’s initial actions and priorities. <br />3. Ongoing Reporting to the City Council <br />●Action Required: The City Manager or designee must provide written updates to <br />the City Council at least every 30 days. These updates should detail: <br />○The activities of the Advisory Group. <br />○Key recommendations made by the Advisory Group. <br />○Specific actions taken by the City Manager or designee in response to <br />these recommendations. <br />○Updates on the deportation defense fund, including performance metrics <br />and outcomes reported by the Immigrant Defenders Law Center. <br />4. Reinforcement of Sanctuary City Policies <br />●Action Required: The Advisory Group, once reconvened, should assess the <br />effectiveness of existing sanctuary city policies and provide recommendations for <br />strengthening immigrant protections. These recommendations should be <br />prioritized in collaboration with community stakeholders and legal service <br />providers. <br />Conclusion <br />The Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group plays a vital role in upholding Santa Ana’s <br />sanctuary city designation and ensuring that immigrant residents are protected and <br />welcomed. The group’s inactivity since 2020, coupled with the absence of updates to <br />the City Council, necessitates immediate action to restore its operations and <br />transparency. <br />By implementing the recommended actions outlined above, the City can reaffirm its <br />commitment to immigrant protections and foster trust within the community. It is critical <br />that the City Manager act swiftly to ensure the continuity of these essential efforts. <br />SUBMITTED BY <br />Councilmember Jessie Lopez