A member of the Huntington Park Police Department was placed on administrative leave after allegedly releasing an individual to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On September 26, the city announced,
“[We] are aware of an incident involving the release of an individual from the Police Department jail who was later detained by federal agents.. Accountability is our priority, and appropriate action will follow…”
Although it was not revealed whether the member of the HPPD was an employee or officer, this act was a violation of the Sanctuary City Ordinance that passed July 2025.
Ordinance No 2025-06 prohibits cooperation with federal regents, and ensures transparency to the public, something that has not been given after such a member was placed on administrative leave.
Such Ordinance also protects: “sensitive personal information of all residents, including immigration status, from being shared with federal agencies.”
The jailer, placed on leave, was accused of sharing information about the detainee with ICE, violating not just Ordinance No. 2025-06, but the basics rights of the individual.
This most recent incident increases the lack of trust in the HPPD. Especially as other city police departments, like Huntington Beach, cooperate with ICE in conducting immigration raids across the country through the 287 (g) program.
Most recently, in Orange County, the Westminster police department was asked to work “hand in hand” with ICE, by council member Amy Phan West.
HP’s mayor, Arturo Flores has made clear through a press conference earlier this year, “Huntington Park stands for safety, for dignity, and for due process. If federal agents want to operate in our city, they must do so with accountability.”
However, Immigration raids terrorize Huntington Park residents, who are now unsure of their safety, since the incident.
“When people cannot trust who is enforcing the law, public safety is undermined and fear begins to take hold,”
explains Mayor Flores in a recent press conference.
According to the most recent census, 95.6% of Huntington Park’s residents are of Hispanic/Latinx background, with at least half being undocumented. With the new mandates on immigration, many have been concerned over community safety, especially as Huntington Park has experienced immigration enforcement detaining people within city bounds since the month of June 2025.
Although the HPPD claims to “ensure the community’s right to a safe and crime free environment” this recent event has made people question whether the city is doing enough to implement Ordinance No 2025-26.
Written by Monserrath Bucio Mondragon, News Editor