Long Beach leaders Tuesday agreed to restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities after a five-hour debate Tuesday night that included impassioned testimony from the immigrant community and their supporters.

Called the Long Beach Values Act, the resolution passed by the City Council expands a restriction on cooperating with or notifying federal immigration authorities unless legally obligated to do so.

Police Chief Robert Luna said it is his department’s current policy to turn information over only when there is a criminal warrant presented by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers — and that hasn’t happened for at least three years.

Much of the two-hour council debate centered on whether to include certain exceptions, known as “cutouts,” such as contacting ICE when someone had been convicted of a serious crime, then arrested again for another crime. Luna said that his officers operate under a policy that follows Senate Bill 54 — the California Values Act — that restricts the amount of information police officers are allowed to share with immigration officers.

That law is the subject of a lawsuit filed last week by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The lawsuit was mentioned once early in Tuesday’s hearing, then not referred to again.

“The city should not cave in to any kind of bullying or intimidation from the federal government,” said Shiu-Ming Cheer, an attorney with the National Immigration Law Center. “We all know that Sessions and (President Donald) Trump are after sanctuary cities. But our governor and attorney general are standing strong… This should be a race to the top, not a race to the bottom.”

There were numerous tales of personal experience. Speaking in Spanish, a woman calling herself America said she is at risk of deportation now.

“I have four children, one of whom is a DACA recipient,” the translator said after America’s speech. “A few days ago, ICE came to our home. Now my children live in fear. When I pick them up from school, if I’m late, they are afraid I’ve been deported.”

One of the largest rounds of applause came for a 9-year-old girl, who’s name was not available.

“My dad died in Mexico a few years ago,” she said. “The only family I have is my mom. I don’t want those people to take away my mom because the only family I have is my mom.”

First District Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez led the effort to pass the resolution, which extends the restrictions followed by the police department to all departments in the city. She said she did not agree with including exceptions, which was the top issue with public speakers. The capacity crowd broke into a chant of “No cutouts!” several times in the meeting. That position was supported by Second District Councilwoman Jeannine Pearce and Seventh District Councilman Roberto Uranga.

But after an hour of debate, Pearce suggested that the motion be approved with the understanding that there would be another meeting specifically dealing with the exemptions, including reports from the city attorney and city manager, which Gonzalez agreed with.

Gonzalez also pushed to establish a legal defense fund for residents facing deportation, increasing the proposed amount to $250,000 from the original $100,000. That was after 3rd District Councilwoman Suzie Price said the city shouldn’t set money aside for that use when the budget was on the verge of being in deficit.

Then City Attorney Charles Parkin said creation of the fund, particularly if it is partnered with a nonprofit, would take time and couldn’t be approved Tuesday night. That prompted 9th District Councilman Rex Richardson to suggest separating creation of the defense fund and the Values Act. Again, Gonzalez agreed in order to get to a vote.

At about 10 p.m., the council voted 6-2 to approve the Values Act, with 4th District Councilman Daryl Supernaw and 5th District Councilwoman Stacy Mungo voting no. Eighth District Councilman Al Austin was absent.

Leaders also agreed to prepare a proposed legal defense fund with options for both private and city funding, passed 5-3, with Price joining Supernaw and Mungo in voting no.

City Manager Pat West said that he and his staff would try to bring a report back in 30 days about the SB 54 exceptions, but it likely would take longer.