Residents urge memorial for immigrant who died fleeing ICE operations; speakers raise broader ICE concerns

Multiple residents used the public-comment period on Dec. 16 to urge action related to ICE enforcement and to call for recognition of people who died attempting to avoid immigration enforcement, according to a podcast recap.

Sherry Lautner, who has returned to speak to the council in prior meetings, advocated for day laborers and victims of ICE operations in Los Angeles County and across California, and specifically urged a permanent memorial for Roberta Montoya, who hosts said lost her life trying to flee ICE at a Home Depot. Martha Mac gave related remarks and supplied a list of names to emphasize the number of deaths raised during public comment.

Hosts characterized the remarks as appeals for memorialization and for support for vulnerable populations impacted by enforcement actions; they also said the council’s staff sought to be transparent about ongoing investigations and audits and invited residents to reach out for follow up.

The podcast recap does not reproduce exact wording of the public speakers’ full statements and does not describe formal council action in response; it indicates residents brought these concerns to the council’s attention during public comment.