Delano’s Mayor Salvador Solorio-Ruiz introduced his “Community First” city ordinance at Monday evening’s city council meeting. This ordinance would prohibit federal immigration officials from entering city-owned properties and participating in raids within the community without a valid judicial order or warrant.
In his introduction of the ordinance, Solorio-Ruiz began by emphasizing the importance of implementing such an initiative, which would have been the first of its kind in Kern County.
“I love this country, and I believe in this country and its ideals. I believe that we are living through a moment that demands courage from those entrusted with public office. It is a moment that requires us to have difficult conversations about what our responsibilities are as local leaders. A moment in time in which our fundamental principles and ideals as Americans are under attack. A moment in time that requires political courage amidst political instability,” said Solorio-Ruiz. “Years from now, our children, our grandchildren will ask us: Where were we in this moment in history? What did we do? What did we say? I want to be able to say that when our community needed leadership, we gave it,” he continued.
Members of the city council allowed an extended amount of time, adding another fifteen minutes on top of the already allotted fifteen-minute slot to address public comments.
Anthony Cortez, a resident of the City of Delano, expressed his disdain for the ordinance, indicating that it was unnecessary to bring attention to the small agricultural town.
“From my perspective, as a resident, it creates the appearance that this issue is being used to advance political ambitions rather than to address the everyday needs of the people who live in this city. The mayor of a small community like ours should focus on the real problems affecting residents every day—safety, infrastructure, roads, local services, and the stability of our neighborhoods… Bringing national political controversy into a small community will increase federal attention to our city,” said Cortez.
Members of the Faith in the Valley organization were also in attendance and expressed their support for the ordinance.
“As rapid responders who verify and document reports of ICE and CBP activity in eight Central Valley counties, we see how ICE and CBP’s presence, or even the rumor of their presence, has undermined trust in local law enforcement… A vote to pass the Community First ordinance is a vote for public safety, for public health, for human decency, and human rights. It will send a message that people power is stronger than profit power,” said Lewis Gillam, a legal observer with Faith in the Valley.
Other members of the community shared stories in hopes of shedding light on the fear that many residents endure.
“We have to be respectful of the people who are coming to speak. Sometimes these people speaking don’t know what our people go through… Every time I was going to Mexico, my parents would have to come and get me because they thought I didn’t have documents. I felt like I was dying because they mistreat you. What you are doing is good because who is going to be there to protect our people?… I have two granddaughters who were in an immigration center in Texas. They were suffering. They were given medicine that they didn’t need. Right now, they are scared. They have lived six years with us, and they are still scared of what is happening right now,” shared Maria Martinez.
America Zepeda, another resident of Delano and a farmworker, also shared her experience working alongside undocumented workers who fear for their freedom every day.
“When they have had those raids—when people say they are here or there—there are some fortunate ones like me who have residency, but I work with a lot of people who don’t. Working in the fields, they start looking around, asking, ‘Where am I going to hide if they come by?’ Working in the fields is very hard, seeing the person next to you sad and frustrated,” said Zepeda. “Working while constantly looking around in fear because someone said they’re on this street and might come by,” she continued.
Councilmembers also had the opportunity to express their views. While sharing his thoughts on the measure, Councilman Joe Alindajao stated that he believed the ordinance was nothing more than a political ploy to garner attention.
“I can tell you from being in this city all my life, representing the community since 2018, that this has never been an issue when it comes to the use of government buildings, federal law enforcement, and public safety. I fail to see the connection between the two. Again, I think this ordinance is really about political theater. I think this is just a political stunt to get attention. I think in that, we have succeeded,” said Alindajao.
In response, Mayor Solorio-Ruiz refuted the allegation that the ordinance was “political theater.”
“In terms of this policy being phrased as political ambition or political theater—when did we assume that fighting for our immigrant community, that advocating for our immigrant community, is political theater? You know what is political theater to me, and we don’t call it out? It’s prioritizing efforts that further alienate our street vendors, which is something individuals on this council have done before. So how is that not political theater, but this is?” said Solorio-Ruiz.
Councilmembers Liz Morris, Joe Alindajao, and Vice Mayor Mario Nunez Jr. voted no on the measure, while Councilman Bryan Osorio and Mayor Salvador Solorio-Ruiz voted yes. In a 3–2 vote, the “Community First” ordinance failed to pass.
