LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach officials will consider expanding restrictions on cooperation with federal immigration authorities next week, alongside renewed calls for an independent investigation into an October encounter in which immigration agents detained and injured a city resident.
The proposal, scheduled for the City Council's Nov. 10 meeting, would direct the city manager to examine additional safeguards under the Long Beach Values Act, including tighter limits on cooperation with federal agents, greater oversight of city contractors and additional support for affected residents.
Introduced by Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga and Councilmembers Mary Zendejas and Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, the recommendations also seek further scrutiny of the Oct. 17 detention of Ricardo Gonzalez, a former city employee whose encounter with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents prompted allegations of excessive force.
If approved, the proposal would require a report within 60 days on possible policy changes. It would not immediately impose new restrictions.
Long Beach already restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement through the Long Beach Values Act, which limits the use of city resources and information for immigration enforcement purposes. The new proposal would examine whether the city could further narrow exceptions permitted under California's sanctuary law, Senate Bill 54, and restrict participation in joint operations involving immigration enforcement while preserving legitimate public safety functions.
Other recommendations include stronger contractor oversight, a public complaint process, restrictions on the unauthorized use of city property for immigration operations and procedures for documenting enforcement activity when city personnel are present. Councilmembers also want staff to explore towing and vehicle storage assistance for detained individuals, crisis support for affected families and possible employment restrictions involving people who participated in federal immigration enforcement misconduct.
Any changes would have to comply with applicable state and federal laws.
The proposal follows the Oct. 17 detention of Gonzalez in North Long Beach, where video showed federal agents restraining him on the ground as he repeatedly cried out that his arm was broken. Witnesses alleged that agents used excessive force during the encounter. The Department of Homeland Security disputed allegations that agents struck Gonzalez with a vehicle, saying he was detained after damaging a government vehicle and that agents used appropriate force.
Long Beach police subsequently found Gonzalez handcuffed and bleeding. Officers transported him to a fire station, where firefighters arranged his transfer to a hospital. Mayor Rex Richardson filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security on Oct. 19, and Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff and Reps. Robert Garcia and Nanette Barragán requested an independent federal investigation Oct. 21.
The council proposal would direct the city attorney to prepare a resolution supporting those requests and seek a separate review by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the state Department of Justice.
It also calls for twice-yearly updates on implementation of the Long Beach Values Act. The City Council is scheduled to consider the proposal Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m.
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