For local high school student Lorena Martinez, real-time events have shown that the Santa Maria City Council’s pace in deciding whether to form an immigration ad hoc committee is too slow.
“Real families are being torn apart. Children are living with fear and uncertainty. Parents are afraid to go to work. This is happening here in our own community, while this city slacks off,” Martinez said during public comment at the council’s Feb. 17 meeting. “In October, this council said you would vote on the immigration ad hoc committee. … There has been no action taken, and this is something that can no longer be delayed.”
Martinez—who said her uncle’s sudden deportation left her family shocked and devastated—was among a dozen attendees who spoke about the ad hoc committee, a discussion first requested by Councilmember Gloria Soto in August 2025 and tabled in October.
Most public commenters also condemned statements heard from the dais during the council’s previous meeting on Feb. 3.
After more than a handful of speakers expressed being offended by Mayor Alice Patino’s comment about “millions” of unvetted immigrants crossing the border during the Biden administration, Patino interjected during one speaker’s time at the podium.
“I have never, ever, ever characterized the immigrants as being criminals. My grandparents would be very upset with me if they knew that,” Patino said. “My grandparents would be very upset if they knew I’d called them criminals. I have never said that.”
Later during council member reports, just before Patino was about to adjourn the meeting, Councilmember Soto asked if council could revisit the ad hoc committee topic. The meeting then lasted for an additional 20 minutes.
“Madam Mayor, before you adjourn the meeting, … we had talked about that item coming back,” Soto said. “However, because it was tabled, based on an email [from staff] that I received, it looks like in order for that to be re-agendized, it either needs to be agendized by you, who has authority to put things on the agenda, Madam Mayor, or it needs to come forward through a motion by a council member, then a second, and then a majority vote.
“So, if you’re not going to agendize that, Madam Mayor,” Soto continued, “I would like to make a motion to bring that item back to a future City Council agenda, preferably in March.”
Councilmember Maribel Aguilera seconded Soto’s motion, which passed 5-0.
“I think it’s going to be an interesting conversation,” Councilmember Carlos Escobedo said after the vote, “and I’m telling you guys, you might not hear something that you like, or might not like, but I’m glad that finally, … it’s time to make decisions.
“We’ve been putting aside so many decisions—not just about this item, but all sorts of items,” Escobedo continued. “I’ve personally had enough. We need to get things done, and move on, and I’m not just talking about immigration.”
This article appears in February 26 – March 5, 2026.
Follow federal law, which is supreme. Deport EVERY illegal alien. They are criminals. Thank you ICE and stay safe out there, but DO IT.
The issue is that ICE is also detaining documented LEGAL immigrants. how can you be in denial about this ?