Santa Ana, CA — With federal immigration enforcement actions increasing across Orange County, undocumented residents in Santa Ana are facing heightened risks and uncertainty. While the city remains committed to its Sanctuary City status and protections under the California Values Act (SB 54), individuals still need to take proactive steps to safeguard themselves and their families.
Here’s what you should know — and do — to stay safe:
Know Your Rights
You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or where you were born.
You do not have to open the door to ICE agents unless they present a signed warrant from a judge. Administrative warrants (I-200 or I-205) do not require compliance.
You have the right to speak to a lawyer before signing any documents. Never sign anything you don’t understand.
Local organizations like the Immigrant Defenders Law Center offer free legal consultations and representation for Santa Ana residents. The city recently allocated $250,000 to expand these services through August 2026.
Stay Informed and Prepared
Avoid risky public encounters. ICE agents have been spotted near workplaces, schools, and even parks. Use caution and stay aware of your surroundings.
Create a family emergency plan. Identify trusted contacts, prepare legal documents (like power of attorney), and keep important records in a safe place.
Know where to go for help. Santa Ana has established a $100,000 emergency aid fund to support families impacted by ICE raids.
Use Community Resources
Visit Santa Ana’s ELLA Center or local nonprofits like Latino Health Access and OC Justice Fund for support, workshops, and legal referrals.
Attend community events and trainings. These often include Know Your Rights sessions, legal clinics, and safe space gatherings.
Report ICE activity anonymously. Groups like CHIRLA and United We Dream offer hotlines and mobile alerts to track enforcement actions.
Trust Local Protections — But Stay Vigilant
Santa Ana’s City Council has passed multiple resolutions reaffirming its commitment to immigrant residents and calling for the removal of ICE and federal military presence from city limits. However, federal agencies are not bound by local policies, and enforcement actions have continued despite the city’s stance.
What if you get caught by ICE?
If you are undocumented and get caught by ICE in Santa Ana, here are important steps you and your family should take:
- Stay calm and do not resist. Avoid physical or verbal confrontation. Cooperate respectfully without volunteering unnecessary information.
- Exercise your right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, birthplace, or how you entered the U.S.
- Do not sign any documents without legal advice. Signing could waive your rights or agree to voluntary departure. Ask to speak with a lawyer first.
- Request to speak with an attorney. You have the right to legal representation, though not at government expense. Ask for a phone call to contact a lawyer or legal aid group.
- Inform your family or emergency contact. Memorize key phone numbers or keep them written in a secure place. Let someone know where you are and what happened.
- Ask for your A-number and detention location. This helps your family or lawyer locate you and track your case.
- Contact local legal aid organizations. In Santa Ana, groups like Immigrant Defenders Law Center and CHIRLA offer free or low-cost legal help.
- Have a family emergency plan in place. This includes guardianship documents for children, power of attorney, and instructions for accessing finances or property.
- Know your rights under California law. Santa Ana is a Sanctuary City, and local police are restricted from cooperating with ICE under the California Values Act (SB 54).
- Avoid signing voluntary departure forms. These can result in immediate removal without a hearing. Always consult a lawyer first.
- Document everything. If possible, write down names, badge numbers, and what was said or done during the encounter.
These steps can help protect your rights and give your family a better chance of responding quickly and effectively.
Final Thoughts
Living undocumented in Santa Ana comes with real risks, but also strong community support. Stay informed, stay connected, and never hesitate to ask for help. The city stands with you — and so do many neighbors, advocates, and legal professionals.
The Trump administration has targeted sanctuary cities through executive orders and lawsuits. While Santa Ana hasn’t been sued directly, similar actions against cities like Chicago have raised concerns about federal funding and legal exposure.
From a policy standpoint, there is no current movement within city government to reconsider the designation. While federal pressure is real, city leaders argue that the Sanctuary City status is essential for public safety, community trust, and moral responsibility.
Any reconsideration would likely face strong opposition from residents, advocacy groups, and council members who view the designation as a core part of Santa Ana’s identity and values.
Why no advice to BECOME A LEGAL RESIDENT AND THEN HELP THEM? If no effort to take steps for citizenship then why should we pay their expenses,,,,
I think it is very difficult right now to try to get legal residency as the Trump administration appears to be moer interested in deportations.
If I were living and working in another country against their laws and without the legal right to do so– perhaps even for decades– I would expect to be very nervous on a daily basis, and for any interaction with law enforcement or government agencies to result in some serious questioning and eventual deportation. There is nothing at all unreasonable about that. It’s a horrific human tragedy that we’ve allowed it to get to this point, and both sides of our political spectrum are more or less equally at fault until now. Not everyone has to like Tump, but he is the only politician today with the guts to act on it. Wouldn’t a world where Mexico isn’t controlled by psychotic drug lords and laughably corrupt politicians be a better world than the last 40 years? If so, lets aim for that and stop arguing that maintaining the former status quo of open immigration is ethical or humane in any way.