Residents demand release of detained community member and an end to county's ICE ties

Dozens of residents used the public-comment period at the Orange County Board of County Commissioners' May 19 meeting to demand the release of a detained local promoter and for the county to end collaborations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Speakers said a community member known as "Uncle Lou" was detained on May 9 and remained in custody despite a previously announced county limit on immigration holds. "When Orange County keeps holding people until ICE picks them up anyway, the 72-hour clock was never a real safeguard," activist Caleb Pierre said during public comment. Several others pressed the board to end the IGSA (Intergovernmental Service Agreement) and 287(g) collaboration that they said enables federal immigration holds in county facilities.

Advocates described the detention as part of a pattern they said disproportionately affects immigrants and the most marginalized residents. "Our demands are clear: we want the immediate release of Uncle Lou and for Orange County to end all collaborations with ICE," Emma Delos Santos said.

Community organizers and attorneys asked county officials and the county attorney to explain why some people are held longer than 48 hours, and whether the county retains the legal authority to release detainees if ICE does not retrieve them within the stated timeframe. Commenters cited reports from jail staff and community organizers claiming detainees have been held beyond advertised time limits.

Board members did not take immediate action on the demands during the meeting. County staff later noted that the person referred to in public comment had been transferred to federal custody earlier in the day. The county did not take votes on the IGSA or 287(g) agreements in the May 19 session; speakers asked the board to return with definitive policy changes and timelines.

Why it matters: Residents framed the detentions as both a local-policy and civil-rights issue and urged a rapid policy shift. Commissioners heard repeated requests for clarity about detention law, accounting for promised release timelines, and whether changes already voted by the board had been implemented in practice.

What's next: Speakers said they will continue advocacy, including town halls and demonstrations, and asked the commission for timely public updates on detention practices and any contract terminations.