The Chula Vista City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday to advance an ordinance that would restrict federal law enforcement access to city facilities, limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and establish new transparency requirements for the city and its contractors. Mayor John McCann, citi ng his position as a U.S. Navy Reserve officer, recused himself from the vote, saying he was “unable to participate in an item that would specifically inhibit or oppose federal law.” The measure, introduced by Councilmember Carolina Chavez and renamed the Safe Neighbor Ordinance at her request, would add Chapter 2.19 to the Chula Vista Municipal Code. It prohibits city staff from voluntarily granting federal or out-of-state law enforcement access to non-public areas of city facilities without a judicially issued warrant or court order, bars the city from sharing immigration status data, and restricts participation in joint law enforcement operations involving immigration enforcement. Chavez framed the ordinance as a matter of community trust and public safety. “We are living in a moment where reckless enforcement actions at the federal level have left many people uncertain about their rights and afraid in their own communities,” she said. “That fear has real consequences for families, for our neighborhoods, and for public safety.” The ordinance also extends to city vendors and contractors, who would be required under new contract terms to keep immigration status information confidential and notify the city within five business days of any request from federal or out-of-state law enforcement for assistance with immigration enforcement. Among several residents who spoke in favor of the ordinance during public comment, Lucy Ugarte, president of the Sweetwater Education Association, said the measure would send a message to students in the Sweetwater Union High School District. “Our students are tired of being scared,” she said. Councilmember Michael Inzunza addressed public concerns about the city’s use of Flock camera technology and data sharing with federal agencies, stating that “the only way there’s access to any of our files is through a judicial warrant.” He pledged to bring a motion to discontinue the system if evidence of unauthorized data sharing emerged. Before voting, the council amended the ordinance’s reporting requirements. As drafted, the city manager would have filed one annual report on federal law enforcement activity within the city. The council modified that to require reports every six months, with an initial report covering January through December 2025 due by July 1, 2026. The ordinance is rooted in the Good Neighbor Policy adopted unanimously by the council — with McCann abstaining — on Nov. 18, 2025. On Feb. 2, 2026, the council then directed the city manager during a special meeting to draft an ordinance codifying protections into municipal code — setting the stage for Tuesday’s vote. A second reading is required before the ordinance takes effect, which would be 30 days after final passage. ...read more read less