SANTA ANA – The Santa Ana City Council voted late Tuesday to prepare a resolution condemning President Trump’s executive orders withholding funds from sanctuary cities and barring immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S.

The 4-2 vote – exactly three weeks after council members unanimously adopted an ordinance declaring Santa Ana a sanctuary for all residents, regardless of immigration status – was supported by a handful of speakers from the public, the majority of whom identified themselves as of Muslim background.

Councilman David Benavides, who led the charge for the city’s sanctuary ordinance and resolution, said the executive orders “are essentially bullying by the president of the United States toward some of the most vulnerable.”

“I ask members of our council to consider standing up for what’s right,” he said.

Councilman Sal Tinajero, who joined Benavides’ resolution request, said it is “the only way we can continue to protect our freedom, to protect our rights.”

“Every step of the way, we have to be vigilant,” Tinajero said.

Councilman Vincent Sarmiento said he had planned to join Benavides and Tinajero on the request but ran out of time, and urged other Orange County municipalities to follow in Santa Ana’s footsteps.

Councilman Jose Solorio said he joined his colleagues in “standing with our Mexican brothers and sisters” and asked that legal resources for immigrants be incorporated.

The two dissenting votes came from Councilman Juan Villegas, an Orange County sheriff’s officer, and Mayor Miguel Pulido. Mayor Pro Tem Michele Martinez had left the council meeting before the issue came up.

Villegas said the issue was “very difficult for me” because he is the son of immigrants and a veteran, but said the city should focus on the many issues it faces within its borders – shootings and gang activity, among other crimes.

“I would rather just let those issues work themselves out in the courts because that’s where they’re going to end up anyway,” Villegas said.

The mayor sided with Villegas, saying, “we all want to support the Muslim community,” but much has yet to play out.

During public comment, Hugo Ivan Salazar, policy analyst for the Orange County Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, said the resolution would send a clear message to Washington that xenophobia and Islamophobia are not acceptable.

“An attack to some of us is an attack on all of us,” he said.

Wearing a blue hijab, Shabnam Dewji spoke in favor of the resolution “as a mom and a professional citizen of the United States.”

“You’re going to set the tone that the rest of the world will follow,” she said. “This country was formed for the people, by the people, to protect our unalienable rights.”

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