HomeMy WebLinkAboutCervantes, Clarissa_Public CommentFrom:Bruns, Melanie
To:PublicComments
Cc:Cervantes, Clarissa; Kester, William; Natalia Saca; Christopher Vazquez
Subject:Letter of Support for Agenda Item #18
Date:Wednesday, March 4, 2026 12:59:20 PM
Attachments:Letter of Support for Item 18.pdf
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Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,
Please accept the attached support letter for inclusion in the public record.
Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes expresses her full support for the
Resolution introduced by Councilmember Flores at today’s City Council Meeting,
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026.
Please let me know if any further action is needed from our office, thank you.
In Service,
Mel
Melanie (Bruns) Lahay
she/her/hers
Legislative Field Representative
Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, Ward 2
Direct: 951-850-4962
Office: 951-826-5419
3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522
MBruns@RiversideCA.Gov
Book time with Bruns, Melanie
Stay in-the-know with all things Riverside! Connect with us at
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3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522 | Phone: (951) 826-5553 | Fax: (951) 826-5470 | RiversideCA.gov
March 4, 2026
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of San Bernardino
290 North D Street,
San Bernardino, CA 92401
From: Clarissa Cervantes
Riverside City Councilmember, Ward 2
3900 Main Street,
Riverside, CA, 92522
Re: Support for Agenda Item 18, Consideration of Resolution Regarding Immigration
Enforcement
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,
As the elected representative for Ward 2 in the City of Riverside, I submit this letter solely on
behalf of my office in support of the resolution before you today. As you evaluate this agenda
item, I commend your commitment to thoughtful and transparent deliberation. Immigration
enforcement policies intersect with public safety, constitutional rights, and community trust
which is why I fully support this item.
My perspective on this issue is both professional and personal. As the daughter and
granddaughter of immigrants, I understand firsthand the hopes, sacrifices, and contributions
that immigrants and mixed-status families bring to our communities. I also understand the fear
and uncertainty that can arise as we witness residents being taken daily on the streets by
masked people.
As elected officials, we have a responsibility to protect and serve all members of our
communities. Regardless of immigration status, every resident deserves clarity in policy, fairness
in treatment, and confidence that local government is acting lawfully and responsibly.
When the city of Riverside considered its resolution, collaboration with trusted community -based
immigration organizations was essential to developing a thoughtful and balanced framework.
Engagement with groups such as Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Inland
Coalition for Immigrant Justice (IC4IJ, and the Riverside Chief of Police, helped inform our
understanding of community concerns, legal considerations, and the practical impacts of
policy decisions.
Our goal was to reinforce public trust and ensure our city resources are used responsibly in a
manner consistent with both state law and our community’s commitment to fairness, public
safety, and human dignity. The passage of the resolution was overwhelmingly celebrated by
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the greater community, and what I have heard from residents since are only words of gratitude
that the City Council took action.
At this moment, transparency and leadership matter. I strongly encourage the City of San
Bernardino City Council to move forward with adopting the resolution before you that affirms
your commitment to protecting all residents. Doing so will help safeguard community trust,
provide transparency in local governance, and helps provide added support to the people
and families who are currently in fear of leaving their homes. Proactive action now will
strengthen your city and help protect the dignity and well -being of the people you serve.
Thank you for your leadership on this important matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me
with any questions.
Sincerely,
Clarissa Cervantes
Riverside City Councilmember, Ward 2