HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2026-022RESOLUTION NO. 2026-022
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA REAFFIRMING ITS COMMITMENT TO DUE
PROCESS, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND NEIGHBORLY
RESPONSIBILITY, CONDEMNING CERTAIN IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IN MINNESOTA
AND ELSEWHERE, WAIVING CITY COUNCIL POLICY 102 -
01 (FLAGS – DISPLAY), AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT RELATED ACTIONS
CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY’S GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY
WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista values every resident and upholds the constitutional
protections guaranteed under the United States and California Constitutions, including the rights
to due process, equal protection, privacy, free speech, and human dignity resoluti on; and
WHEREAS, Chula Vista is a diverse, binational, and multilingual community in which
federal immigration enforcement actions have a direct and tangible impact on residents’ daily
lives, family stability, and access to essential services; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2025, the City Council unanimously directed the City
Manager and City Attorney to prepare a resolution affirming the City’s commitment to due
process, public safety, and neighborly responsibility regarding federal immigration enforc ement
activities; and
WHEREAS, the Good Neighbor Resolution establishes clear policy direction to strengthen
public trust by ensuring transparency, limiting the use of City resources for discriminatory
enforcement actions, protecting personal data, promoting public education, and reinforcing lawful
and humane governance Resolution; and
WHEREAS, public safety is best achieved through community trust, constitutional
policing, transparency, and accountability — not through fear, secrecy, or the erosion of civil
liberties; and
WHEREAS, recent immigration enforcement operations conducted by the United States
Department of Homeland Security in the State of Minnesota and elsewhere have involved heavily
militarized tactics and have resulted in the shooting deaths of American citizen s Renee Good and
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, as well as at least 31 deaths nationwide in federal immigration custody during
2025, raising serious concerns regarding oversight, proportionality, and accountability; and
WHEREAS, incidents resulting in loss of life during enforcement operations underscore
the necessity of independent investigation, transparency, and adherence to constitutional
standards, which are foundational to democratic governance; and
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Resolution No. 2026-022
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WHEREAS, residents across the country, including in Chula Vista, have exercised their
First Amendment rights to peacefully assemble, protest, and express solidarity with families and
communities impacted by federal immigration enforcement actions; and
WHEREAS, the City rejects the criminalization of peaceful protest and reaffirms the
constitutional right of all residents to organize, demonstrate, and advocate for justice without fear
of retaliation or violence; and
WHEREAS, in a representative democracy, accountability is an essential component of
public authority, and government power must remain subordinate to constitutional principle and
the protection of human life.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista,
that it reaffirms Chula Vista’s commitment to due process, public safety, privacy, transparency,
and neighborly responsibility as embodied in the City’s Good Neighbor Policy and related
implementation actions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, that it
condemns certain immigration enforcement activities undertaken by the United States Department
of Homeland Security in the State of Minnesota and elsewhere that have resulted in loss of life,
community destabilization, and diminished public trust.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, that it calls
upon federal enforcement agencies operating within or affecting Chula Vista residents to conduct
all enforcement activities in a manner that is lawful, proportionate, transparent, and consistent with
constitutional protections.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, that it
affirms that public safety cannot be achieved absent legitimacy and trust, and that enforcement
practices which deter residents from accessing emergency services, healthcare, education, or civic
participation undermine community safety for all.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, that it
directs the City Manager to continue implementation of the Good Neighbor Policy, including but
not limited to:
a. Public education and “Know Your Rights” outreach;
b. Safeguards for personal data and City facilities;
c. Clear procedures governing responses to federal and out-of-state enforcement requests;
and
d. Exploration of partnerships with nonprofit organizations providing legal aid, crisis relief,
and case management services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, that it
authorizes and directs the City Manager to sign on to Welcoming America’s Draw the Line
campaign on behalf of the City, a national initiative affirming dignity, accountability, and the rule
of law.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, that it
hereby waives City Council Policy 102-01 (Flags – Display) and directs the City Manager to
display the flags of the United States of America, the State of California, and the City of Chula
Vista at half-staff through February 17, 2026, in remembrance of lives lost due to federal
immigration enforcement actions and in solidarity with communities nationwide seeking justice
and reform.
Presented by Approved as to form by
Cesar Fernandez Marco A. Verdugo
Deputy Mayor City Attorney
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista,
California, this 2nd day of February 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Chavez, Fernandez, Inzunza, and Preciado
NAYS: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: McCann
Cesar Fernandez, Deputy Mayor
ATTEST:
Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO )
CITY OF CHULA VISTA )
I, Kerry K. Bigelow, City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution No. 2026-022 was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council at a special
meeting of the Chula Vista City Council held on the 2nd day of February 2026.
Executed this 2nd day of February 2026.
Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk
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