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Santa Ana mayor says city joined regional lawsuit, pledges food, hotline support for immigrant residents

5555727 · August 9, 2025

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Summary

Mayor Valeria Mesquam said the City of Santa Ana has joined a multi-city lawsuit challenging recent federal immigration enforcement actions, and described local steps — including a hotline and weekly food deliveries — to support affected residents.

Mayor Valeria Mesquam of Santa Ana said at a multi-city press event that the city has joined a regional lawsuit challenging recent federal immigration enforcement actions and pledged local resources to help residents affected by the raids.

"We will not stand by while our immigrant communities are terrorized by unconstitutional and discriminatory federal actions," Mesquam said, thanking Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles City Attorney Heidi Feldstein Soto for leading the litigation effort.

Mesquam said the Santa Ana City Council was "proud to be the first city in Orange County to join this lawsuit," and called the enforcement actions "not only unjust, they're un-American." She said the operations have created a climate of fear that is harming public safety and the local economy by making residents afraid to leave home to work, shop or take children to school.

Mesquam described local support efforts for affected families, saying the city has a hotline available for residents and that she works with an organization called CIVA to deliver "800 boxes of food every Saturday." She also thanked other cities and counties joining the litigation and thanked officials for a temporary restraining order referenced at the event.

The remarks combined description of the legal challenge with steps the city is taking to support immigrant residents. Mesquam framed the lawsuit as both a legal and moral response and urged continued community assistance, noting that donations and volunteers have been mobilizing in Santa Ana.

The mayor's comments recounted prior official action: Mesquam said the Santa Ana City Council previously voted to join the litigation. The transcript did not specify the council vote date, the motion language, or vote tally.

Mesquam also emphasized bipartisan concern about the enforcement actions in Orange County, saying local elected officials across party lines have expressed alarm about the impacts on families and public safety. She closed by urging focus on care and mutual aid as the legal process continues.