18 (07)You don't often get email from aochoa@occord.org. Learn why this is important
Date:4/8/2025 3:01:26 PM
From:"Angeles Ochoa Carmona" aochoa@occord.org
To:"Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim.net
Subject:[EXTERNAL] 04/08/25 Meeting Item #18 Public Comment
Attachment:Council meeting 04_08 Item 18 Public Comment.pdf;
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A n g e l e s O c h o a C a r m o n a
D i g i t a l O r g a n i z e r
a o c ho a @ o c c or d .or g
w w w .o c c or d .or g
1 5 0 5 E 1 7 th St, Suite 1 2 2 , Sa nta A na , C A 9 2 7 0 5
Good evening Mayor and Council Members,
My name is Angeles Ochoa, and I serve as the Digital Organizer with OCCORD. I come from an
immigrant family and have spent my life surrounded by immigrant communities—communities full of
resilience, love, and perseverance. Their experiences are deeply personal to me, which is why I’m
submitting this public comment, to urge the Council to prioritize meaningful action for the immigrant
families who call Anaheim home.
I’m writing in strong support of Agenda Item 18—the resolution reaffirming Anaheim’s designation as a
Welcoming City.
Although I didn’t grow up in Anaheim, as an organizer, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with
families who call this city home. In every corner of Anaheim, you can see the impact of immigrant
communities—families running local businesses, students juggling school and family responsibilities, and
neighbors showing up for one another. The languages spoken, the cultures celebrated, and the resilience
shared across generations all reflect just how deeply immigrants are rooted in the fabric of this city.
Anaheim’s identity and strength are tied to the contributions of immigrant families who have made this
place their home.
But despite this legacy, too many families continue to live in fear. As someone who works closely with
residents in Anaheim, I hear firsthand how community members—especially those in mixed-status
families—are hesitant to call the police, seek healthcare, or even access basic city services because
they’re unsure of the city's stance on immigration.
Just some time ago, after the Chief of Police released a video reaffirming the department’s commitment to
protect everyone regardless of immigration status, a resident still reached out to me, confused and
concerned about the city and police department’s stance on federal immigration policies. That really
highlighted for me how much more needs to be done—especially for people who don’t have regular
access to social media or online platforms, which are often the main ways information is shared.
Ironically, these are often the very people who most need access to resources and protections.
Nonprofits are stepping in by hosting Know Your Rights forums, Power of Attorney clinics, and
citizenship workshops—but what is the City doing? It shouldn’t fall only on community organizations to
fill these gaps. If Anaheim is truly committed to being a Welcoming City, we need intentional, consistent,
and accessible outreach from the city itself to make sure all residents—not just the most connected—feel
safe, informed, and supported.
Agenda Item 18 sends a clear and important message: Anaheim is committed to treating all people with
dignity and respect, regardless of race, place of origin, or immigration status. It reaffirms that the City has
no role in federal immigration enforcement, will continue protecting resident privacy, and is dedicated to
maintaining accessible city services and inclusive communication efforts across languages and
communities.
This resolution matters. It matters for the families I speak to who are worried about being separated. It
matters for students who go to school every day anxious about what they’ll come home to. And it matters
for the future of Anaheim—because a city where everyone feels safe and included is a city that thrives.
I urge the City Council to pass Agenda Item 18 and continue standing with Anaheim’s immigrant
communities—not just in words, but in action.
Thank you.