Downey residents demand a statement from elected officials who remained quiet after ICE raids

During the June 24 Downey City Council meeting, members of the community demanded actions from their local elected officials after several immigration raids took place  in the city in the past few days. 

Videos show Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detaining and arresting at least two workers at the Galaxy Auto Detail Car Wash on June 11. The owner was forced to close her business temporarily after ICE returned a few days later. 

That same week, a man on a bicycle was detained by masked men on Downey Memorial Christian Church’s grounds. Other locations, including Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, a Home Depot and a Walmart, all in Downey, have also been raided by men who do not identify themselves but who witnesses assume are ICE agents. 

During this time, only Councilmember Mario Trujillo has been vocal about the issue and shortly after, Councilman Horacio Ortiz joined in support. 

Several residents told elected officials during the public comment session that the unconstitutional raids are happening everywhere and Downey must take a stand to defend the people they represent. 

At the beginning of the meeting, Councilman Trujillo called for a special meeting to address the immigration enforcement issues happening in their city. 

“I think it’s absolutely horrendous what this federal agency is doing to the city and I would like to pursue a lawsuit against the federal [agency],” he said. “I’d like to make a motion for a special meeting for this council to finally speak up against the injustices.”  

Councilman Horacio Ortiz seconded the motion and, somehow hesitant, Mayor Pro Tem Dorothy Pemberton gave the third needed vote.

Councilwoman Claudia M. Frometa said, “There is nothing we can do as local government” and added that the changes have to happen at the federal level. 

“You think that we at the local level can, if Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom have not been able to arm-force President Trump and his administration with this particular situation, Councilmember Trujillo and Councilmember Ortiz, what makes you think the City of Downey or the City of Los Angeles has a chance at suing the federal government?” she asked. 

When speakers asked how many people have been detained, arrested or deported, City Manager Roger Bradley said they didn’t have those numbers and “there is nothing we can do.”

To these responses, several speakers gave them options like creating a legal defense fund, or request data of the detentions through theFreedom of Information Act (FOIA), which grants the public the right to request access to government records from federal agencies. 

“The people here are advocating more than the people who have power,” said resident Joaquin Beltran. “That FOIA had to be requested a long time ago.”

A day before, the Pasadena City Council unanimously approved a formal statement calling the immigration raids unconstitutional as a way to show solidarity to their immigrant community, many of whom are helping in rebuilding Altadena and Pasadena after the wildfires that erupted on January 7. 

Pointing out the lack of leadership

Among the comments, there were several directed specifically to Councilwoman Frometa who is an immigrant from Mexico, who she has not commented on the situation since the raids began. 

Resident Jeniffer Alvarez said that as an educator and fourth generation Mexican American with multiple educational degrees, she carries her heritage with pride and refuses to stay quiet. 

“In contrast, Ms. Frometa, who touts her status as the first immigrant to hold office in the city of Downey, has abandoned the very community she claims to represent,” said Alvarez. 

Resident Florela Di Carpio said she’s a proud immigrant from Peru and is committed to help her community. She said Councilwoman Frometa has failed in protecting the safety and unity of the community and has failed as an elected representative. 

“You speak about bullying and being harassed, but what about the children in our city who are afraid to go to schools because of their parents being detained? What about the families who attend Downey church or those who take their car to the Galaxy car wash? Or live in our neighborhoods who have been torn away?” she asked Frometa. 

Di Carpio also pointed at Mayor Pro Tem Pemberton, who last year was celebrating and dancing salsa and cumbia during the summer concerts but who now is silent. And lastly, she pointed at a late video shared by Mayor Sosa after the damage was done. 

“Leadership doesn’t show up late, it shows up when it’s hard. This isn’t about being Republican or Democrat. It’s about being a human. It’s about leading with morals,” she said. “You get to sleep comfortably in your privilege while others sleep in fear.”  

Mayor Hector Sosa was absent during the council meeting.