Heeding renewed pleas from local residents, the Santa Maria City Council early next month will discuss steps to protect and support undocumented residents amid increased immigration enforcement actions.

At the end of the meeting Tuesday night, City Manager David Rowlands said the immigration item would be placed on the agenda for the Feb. 3 meeting for the council’s discussion and possible approval.

His comment came after multiple speakers again urged the City Council to speak out opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. 

Whether the city’s support for the immigrant community stops at the resolution or goes beyond it remains to be seen.

For months, Councilwoman Gloria Soto has pushed for her colleagues to take a stance like other jurisdictions. However, in the fall, the council delayed the discussion.

Some cities have adopted resolutions of support for the immigrant community, while others also provided funding to nonprofit organizations working to help immigrants affected by the enforcement efforts.

On Tuesday night, Councilwoman Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez said that many in the community are feeling “really fearful” about what’s going regarding immigration enforcement.

The council majority previously voted to seek information from ICE about actions that have occurred in the city, Aguilera-Hernandez noted.

She also asked that a resolution be brought back “so we can send a message that we do stand with the immigrants … and that we do support them.”

Soto called for more than just a resolution.

“My only request would be that it’s more than just a resolution in support, that we look to include language in there that can ensure the safety of residents,” she said.

She urged the staff to include language that local law enforcement should not aid in raids.

Mayor Alice Pacino said Santa Maria police officers don’t enforce immigration laws or take part in operations.

“We don’t know if they’re coming, when they’re coming,” Patino sad of federal immigration enforcement officers. “We have no control over them at all.”

Speakers also have pleaded for months for the Santa Maria council to take action including pushing to create an ad hoc committee focused on issues related to immigration enforcement. 

Former farmer Sue Heitman expressed concern about the agriculture employees population, noting that 70% of U.S. farmworkers were born outside the United States with 40% of the workers undocumented. 

The Santa Maria Valley grows worker-intensive crops requiring a significant population, she said, adding that a farm manager recently reported a significant decrease in the work force. 

“What that means for us is people are disappearing. It means the economy will disappear eventually if this continues,” Heitman said, urging the council to “help us get ICE out of 805.”

Groups monitoring ICE actions contend that federal agents have taken 1,475 people — citizens and non-citizens — into custody in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties, with 373 in Santa Maria.

Since Jan. 1, 75 people in Santa Maria have been taken into custody.

“The time is now for the City Council and all city officials to acknowledge the community’s concerns surrounding immigration and to take a firm stance against the arrests happening every day in the city limits,” Pam Gates of Indivisible Santa Maria said.

“You started with a proclamation to respect life,” Gates said, referring to an anti-abortion Respect for Life Week proclamation presented earlier in the meeting. “That’s all we’re asking. Please respect the life of all the citizens and protect them.”