Immigration Policy: A Hot Topic

by Susan J. Knight

Our Observer Corps, now numbering 22 dedicated volunteers, has been working diligently to monitor and report on public meetings all over the county.  Recently, there have been several reports of disruptive meetings, as tensions run high for and against ICE and immigration policy activities.  The California Ralph M. Brown Act, also known as the Sunshine Law and The Local Open Meetings Act, was amended in 2022 by the California legislature to include specific language about how such disruptions should be handled.  Presiding members of meetings across the county have had to consider putting this language into action, including the Irvine and Costa Mesa city councils and the Capistrano Unified School District. 

During the July 15, 2025, Costa Mesa City Council meeting Public Comments, largely about ICE and immigration policy, ongoing heckling and disrespectful interruptions from the audience prompted the mayor to repeatedly call for more civil proceedings and warned disrupters they would be removed.  A brief recess cooled tensions, several people were escorted out, and increased police presence was observed, allowing speakers on both sides of the issue to continue.  The League has commended the Costa Mesa mayor and council by letter and verbal presentation for upholding the Brown Act so the city’s business can be conducted with respect for all without disruptions.

You can read more about what has been happening in your city and county by accessing our publicly posted Observer reports here. [LINK TO: https://my.lwv.org/california/orange-coast/committee/orange-coast-government#ObserverCorp]

The Observer Corps has openings for the Laguna Niguel City Council and the Irvine Unified School District Board.  Contact us at observercorps [at] lwvorangecoast.org.