JOE DO VINH, mayor pro tem.

By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune

A proposed resolution “promoting protection of due process and civil liberties for all” regarding the immigration crackdown won a sort of victory on Tuesday night before the Garden Grove City Council.

While the proposal for discussion from Councilmember Ariana Arestegui (District 6) wasn’t accepted in its entirely, the council voted 5-1 (with Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein abstaining) in favor of considering at the next meeting a slimmed-down version based on edits proposed by Vice Mayor Joe DoVinh.

Opposed was Councilmember George Brietigam (District 1).

The action followed several hours of public comments on the original proposed resolution, most of them in favor.
It called for requiring the city to rally municipal resources on behalf of Garden Grove’s immigrant and refugee residents and asked various community organizations to help residents “impacted by ongoing immigration enforcement activity.”

Arestegui introduced the document as a “draft resolution” adding “It’s a starting point for conversation.”

When most council members expressed doubts about the whole document, DoVinh offered deletions of some of the more controversial portions.

That attracted more support, but not all. Brietigam argued that “this resolution, on the face of it, is illegal” and warned that the federal government might even prosecute councilmembers.
“I’m too old for prison,” he quipped.