Mayor Valerie Amezcua told attendees the city council unanimously approved an ordinance intended to better regulate group homes and sober‑living facilities in residential neighborhoods, and that the council has taken steps to support residents impacted by federal immigration enforcement.

Mayor Amezcua framed the ordinance as a public‑safety and neighborhood quality measure and thanked political leaders and partners for their support. “Last month, the city council unanimously approved a landmark ordinance that I championed to better regulate group homes and sober living facilities and residential neighborhoods,” the mayor said. The mayor cited collaboration with other city leaders and state legislators and noted the city participated in a Cal Cities press conference calling for stronger statewide regulation of treatment and recovery facilities.

Immigration enforcement and resident support: The mayor acknowledged recent federal immigration enforcement activity in Santa Ana and said the city council approved funding for immigration legal defense services and an economic assistance program for residents impacted by enforcement actions. She described these actions as council responses to immediate community needs and said the city would coordinate with state and federal representatives on related policy and funding.

Why it matters: Changes in local regulation of residential care facilities affect neighborhood zoning and licensing enforcement; funding for legal defense and economic assistance addresses urgent needs for families affected by enforcement actions.

Caveats: The ordinance was described in general terms in the address; the city did not provide an ordinance number, full regulatory text, or a detailed description of enforcement mechanisms during the speech. Similarly, the mayor described council funding for legal defense and economic assistance but did not provide precise dollar amounts in the remarks presented.