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The city of Montebello has approved $100,000 in emergency funds to support families affected by the recent federal immigrant attacks and is joining an increasing list of municipalities taking independent steps to support undocumented residents amidst strengthening enforcement efforts.
According to a report by San Gabriel Valleto Ribune, the Montebello City Council established the Montebello Humanitarian Services Program on Wednesday, June 25th, unanimously approved the funds. The initiative will provide confidential case management, legal rights workshops and other support services targeting families whose local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are directly affected.
“The recent ice attacks tore many families apart, suffered trauma and left without a safety net,” Mayor Montebello Melendez said during the meeting, as reported by the Tribune. “It’s wrong to tear your family apart no matter where you are in the political field.”
The announcement comes amid widespread community concerns, following unpublished ice activities at local parks. On June 20, city officials confirmed the public area agents’ reports and promptly cancelled the scheduled movie night at George Hensel Aquatic Center. In a statement on Facebook, the city said the event was cancelled “due to a wealth of attention” and emphasized that there were “no other special events” that weekend.
Located about 10 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, Montebello has a predominantly Hispanic population. City demographic data identifies more than 80% of residents as Hispanic or Latinx. Local officials have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable residents regardless of the immigration situation.
“The City of Montebello is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and happiness of all members of our community,” read the statement posted on the city’s official Facebook page. “Federal agents did not inform the city of their arrival and did not receive advance alerts regarding their activities.”
City officials also made it clear that neither Montebello nor its police department has cooperated with immigration enforcement, House detainees or federal immigration agencies.
Councillor Scarlett Peralta acknowledged the limitations local government faces in dealing with federal enforcement measures, but said the program reflects Montebello’s values.
“These are difficult decisions,” she said during the meeting, according to the Tribune. “We balance the protection and the thin lines that appear for our community, but at the same time we are handcuffed with the reality of what we can do legally.”
The new programme will provide strict security under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and says all services will be designed to prioritize safety, discretion and accessibility.
“It’s about stability and dignity,” Mayor Melendez said. “We are hardworking families, families and communities who deserve stability and dignity, regardless of their immigration status.”
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