Anti-ICE Protests Cost Santa Ana $500K

Santa Ana says it spent about $500,000 responding to anti-ICE protests last summer, with more costs still possible from legal claims and a lawsuit. (laist.com) City officials told the City Council on April 21 that about $400,000 of that total was spent over four protest days — June 9, 10, 11 and 14, 2025 — in the downtown area. City Attorney Sonia Carvalho said the city has received four claims and one lawsuit tied to police actions during those protests. (laist.com) Police Chief Robert Rodriguez said officers were deployed after Carvalho received a call from the Department of Justice on June 9. Carvalho said federal officials indicated that if Santa Ana could not provide security, the federal government would bring in its own resources. (laist.com) The spending report landed as Santa Ana weighs a budget gap that LAist reported as $16 million for the coming fiscal year. Voice of OC reported a projected deficit closer to $19 million if the city does not cut spending, showing how tight the budget debate has become. (laist.com) (voiceofoc.org) The protest costs are now part of a broader fight over how Santa Ana, Orange County’s county seat and a majority-Latino city, responds to federal immigration enforcement while paying for local services. On July 1, 2025, the City Council approved a resolution calling for federal representatives to push for the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and military personnel from Santa Ana. (santa-ana.org) Residents and civil-rights advocates have criticized the police response since the protests. Courthouse News reported that officers used tear gas, pepper balls and flash bangs during demonstrations, while NBC Los Angeles reported the Police Department said it made 24 arrests between June 9 and June 14 for law violations. (courthousenews.com) (nbclosangeles.com) Mayor Valeria Amezcua faced sharp criticism at a June 17, 2025 council meeting, where NBC Los Angeles said more than 100 residents spoke about the city’s handling of the raids and protests. Amezcua later told residents she did not support the immigration raids or what she called a “militarized escalation.” (nbclosangeles.com) The immediate bill is now measurable at roughly half a million dollars. The harder number for Santa Ana — with claims still pending and the budget under strain — is what the final cost will be. (laist.com)