The Whittier City Council voted 5–0 during a special meeting to direct staff to draft a formal protocol for responding to ICE activity near City facilities, programs, and public spaces. The vote followed public comment that leaned heavily against ICE, council discussion over what Whittier can legally do, and staff’s account of how the City responded when federal immigration agents were reported near the Whittier Central Library.

Federal immigration authorities returned to Whittier on June 10, prompting Mayor James Becerra to confront agents and the City to reaffirm that Whittier does not coordinate with ICE. But the City’s response drew strong online pushback from commenters who argued that federal immigration enforcement should be allowed to operate in Whittier. The controversy now moves to City Hall, where a special meeting on immigration law enforcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday.

City Clerk Rigo Garcia presented proposed ballot language asking voters whether Whittier should move its general municipal elections from April to the November statewide general election cycle. Screenshot from City of Whittier public meeting broadcast, CityTV Channel 3. The Whittier City Council moved forward Tuesday night with plans to bring back ballot measures that could shift city elections from April to November and establish a 12-year lifetime term limit for city elected officials. The...