HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 23 - Councilmember Requested Relating to Draft a Resolution Expressing the City of Santa Ana’s Support for Assembly Bill 1537 (Bryan), the No Side Jobs for ICE Act CITY OFSANTAANA
Council member-Requested Item Report
DATE
May 19, 2026
TOPIC
City of Santa Ana Resolution in Support of California's AB 1537 (No Side Jobs for ICE
Act), which would prohibit state and local law enforcement officers from taking
secondary employment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or other entities engaged in immigration
enforcement
COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE
Discuss and consider directing the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk to draft a
resolution expressing the City of Santa Ana's support for Assembly Bill 1537 (Bryan),
the No Side Jobs for ICE Act, which would close a loophole in state law by prohibiting
California law enforcement officers from working secondary employment with federal
immigration enforcement agencies or private entities engaged in immigration
enforcement.
DISCUSSION
Assembly Bill 1537, authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles),
known as the No Side Jobs for ICE Act, would prevent local and state law enforcement
officers from taking "side jobs" with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or other entities—including private
corporations—engaged in immigration enforcement. The bill closes a significant
loophole currently found in California state law.
Under existing law, the California Values Act (SB 54) limits state and local law
enforcement agencies from using resources to assist federal immigration enforcement.
However, the current statute does not address what individual officers do during off-duty
hours. This gap has allowed officers to work secondary or part-time employment directly
for ICE, DHS, or private contractors involved in immigration enforcement—effectively
circumventing the intent of SB 54 and other sanctuary protections.
This loophole is especially concerning in the current climate. The federal administration
has committed $75 billion in taxpayer dollars toward an agenda of mass deportation,
including active, well-funded recruitment efforts and advertising specifically targeting
local law enforcement officers in California. Reports of intensifying ICE activity across
the state—along with growing accounts of lawless and reckless behavior by federal
agents—underscore the urgency of closing this gap.
CITY ATTORNEY CITY MANAGER CITY CLERK
Sonia R.Carvalho Alvaro Nunez Jennifer L. Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA-P.O. BOX 1988, M31 -SANTA ANA,CALIFORNIA 92702
TELEPHONE(714)647-6900-FAX(714)647-6954-www.santa-ana.org
Santa Ana has long demonstrated its commitment to protecting its immigrant
community. The City declared itself a sanctuary city and has taken numerous steps to
ensure that all residents, regardless of immigration status, feel safe accessing city
services and participating in civic life. Allowing local officers to moonlight for immigration
enforcement agencies directly undermines that commitment and erodes the trust
between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
When residents cannot distinguish between local police acting in their official capacity
and those same officers working for ICE on the side, community trust is shattered.
Victims of crime become reluctant to report incidents, witnesses refuse to cooperate
with investigations, and residents avoid seeking the public services they need. This
creates a less safe community for everyone.
AB 1537 is backed by dozens of community and legal organizations from across the
state. By passing a resolution in support of this bill, the Santa Ana City Council would
send a strong message to Sacramento that our city stands firmly behind the protections
established by the California Values Act and that we support closing the loopholes that
undermine those protections.
We propose that the City Council direct the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk
to bring forth a resolution expressing the City of Santa Ana's formal support for AB
1537, the No Side Jobs for ICE Act. This resolution would reaffirm Santa Ana's
longstanding commitment to the safety and well-being of its immigrant community and
urge the California State Legislature to pass this critical legislation.
SUBMITTED BY
Councilmembers Benjamin Vazquez and Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
EXHIBIT(S)
N/A
CITY ATTORNEY CITY MANAGER CITY CLERK
Sonia R.Carvalho Alvaro Nunez Jennifer L. Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA-P.O. BOX 1988, M31 -SANTA ANA,CALIFORNIA 92702
TELEPHONE(714)647-6900-FAX(714)647-6954-www.santa-ana.org