On Jan. 17, 2017, the Santa Ana City Council voted unanimously to make the city a sanctuary city for all its residents, regardless of immigration status.

The new law will prohibit the use of the city’s resources for immigration enforcement and will protect personal information of all its residents, including those living there illegally. This new ordinance will also put an end to making biased city policies and will allow law enforcement to “cite and release” individuals, rather than keeping them at a nearby or county facility based on their crime. With their new status as a sanctuary city, Santa Ana will have to train certain employees and create a committee of community members to guide its City Council in making decisions relating to this ordinance.

According to the City of Santa Ana, currently, 46% of Santa Ana’s population are living there illegally. With Santa Ana becoming a sanctuary city, this 46% will now be able to live there not only legally, but also protected and safely.

Many are pleased with the city’s move to become a sanctuary city and say that it makes a great stride toward immigrants’ rights. However, President Trump has expressed that he is greatly opposed to this idea, saying that he would “cancel all federal funding” to sanctuary cities such as Santa Ana.

After being asked by the Orange County Register about being Trump’s plan, Acting City Manager Gerardo Mouet replied, “I’m not worried about that based on my reading.”

The city plans to continue to make ordinances regarding immigrants’ rights and help them to feel safe and comfortable in Santa Ana.

“We will continue to look at ramping up our policies, such as the one today,” said Councilman David Benavides, when asked about the city’s future plans.