Santa Ana Mayor responds to ICE observer arrests; Police chief defends officers

Mayor Valerie Amezcua issued a statement Friday afternoon, two days after Santa Ana police arrested two immigration enforcement observers, while the city's police chief defended the arrests and denied allegations that officers were assisting federal immigration agents.

Madison Crabill and Adilene “Addie” Tonoco were arrested Wednesday, Oct. 14, after two off-duty Homeland Security Investigations agents reported being followed into Santa Ana.

The arrests sparked a Thursday press conference where elected officials, community organizers and relatives demanded the women's release, dismissal of the charges and an investigation into the Santa Ana Police Department.

On Friday, Amezcua said she was communicating with city leadership.

"I am in communication with our City Manager and Chief of Police and am closely monitoring the situation," she said.

"I understand the community's concerns and believe that transparency and accountability are essential."

The mayor promised to keep residents informed as additional information becomes available and did not address demands for the women's release, dismissal of charges or an investigation.

The timing recalls Amezcua's response to federal immigration raids that began in Santa Ana on June 9, 2025. Her first formal city statement addressing the raids came June 11, also approximately two days later.

At the time, The Santanero reported that the mayor had not responded to repeated questions about her actions during the first days of enforcement activity. Her response drew criticism from residents, some of whom later called for her resignation.

Chief rejects allegations of ICE cooperation

In a separate statement, Police Chief Rodriguez said officers had responded to reported criminal conduct, not a federal immigration operation.

"To be unequivocally clear: The Santa Ana Police Department was not assisting with immigration enforcement, nor were our officers participating in any federal immigration operation," Rodriguez said.

According to the chief, the off-duty agents alleged that the women followed them from La Habra into Santa Ana, blocked their vehicle in an alley and committed traffic violations while maintaining contact.

Melissa Rios, fellow ICE watcher with LUCHA Costa Mesa disputed that claim.

Rodriguez said investigators established probable cause for felony stalking and additional suspected offenses. He also said a magistrate reviewed the officers' probable-cause declaration and found sufficient grounds for the arrests.

That determination does not establish guilt. The Orange County District Attorney's Office independently decides whether criminal charges will be filed.

Rodriguez acknowledged the constitutional right to document law enforcement but said those protections do not exempt individuals from criminal laws.

"The Santa Ana Police Department does not participate in federal immigration enforcement, and that policy has not changed," he said.

Arrests raise questions about sanctuary city protections

Santa Ana declared itself a sanctuary city in December 2016 and adopted its Sanctuary City Ordinance in January 2017.

The ordinance prohibits city personnel and resources from being used to assist federal immigration enforcement, subject to specified legal exceptions. Its restrictions include participating in immigration enforcement operations and using city personnel or equipment to support those activities.

California's SB 54, also known as the California Values Act, similarly limits local law enforcement participation in federal civil immigration enforcement.

As for whether the arrests violated Santa Ana's sanctuary policies, determining that will require examining the agents' requests for assistance, dispatch communications and the evidence officers relied upon before making the arrests.