Long Beach Calls for Impeachment of DHS Secretary, Federal Immigration Accountability

City Council unanimously votes to draft resolution demanding federal agents be held accountable and current immigration policies be ended.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:07pm

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The City of Long Beach has joined other cities, state legislatures, and members of Congress in calling for the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and demanding federal immigration accountability. The City Council unanimously voted to move forward with drafting a resolution that would affirm the city's commitment to protecting civil rights, community trust, and the dignity of all residents, while also supporting the growing number of federal lawmakers who have introduced articles of impeachment against Noem.

Why it matters

Long Beach is home to a diverse population, with immigrants comprising a quarter of the city's population. Local officials and community members have expressed significant concerns about the consequences of recent federal immigration enforcement activities, including the destabilization of families, weakening of neighborhoods, and erosion of trust in government, which they say undermines public safety for everyone.

The details

The resolution, which will return to the City Council for final approval, will call for federal agents to be held accountable, Noem to be impeached, and current immigrant enforcement policies to end. City officials cited recent enforcement actions in Minnesota and California, including fatal shootings of civilians by federal law enforcement, as well as issues of medical neglect, excessive force, prolonged detention, and systemic oversight failures within federal immigration detention facilities.

  • On February 3, 2026, the Long Beach City Council unanimously voted to move forward with drafting the resolution.
  • The resolution will return to the City Council for final approval, according to the staff report.

The players

Kristi Noem

The current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Rex Richardson

The Mayor of Long Beach, who spoke in support of the resolution during the council meeting.

Mary Zendejas

The First District Councilmember, who expressed concerns about federal immigration enforcement locally.

Joni Ricks-Oddie

The Ninth District Councilmember, who thanked advocates and community members for speaking out and advocating for Long Beach's immigrant community.

Kristina Duggan

A Councilmember who said she supports the rule of law but opposes the way federal officers have operated, as it has opened the doors for anyone, including U.S. citizens, to be harmed by agents with minimal training and limited oversight.

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What they’re saying

“Poor leadership at DHS has real local consequences, eroding trust, destabilizing families and making it harder for cities like Long Beach to keep all of our residents safe and supported. Long Beach stands with our immigrant communities here and across the nation.”

— Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach (presstelegram.com)

“These times ask that we, we the people, demand more from our federal government. This item says it loud and clear, no more. No more kidnappings, no more fear, no more racism, no more deaths, no more unconstitutional actions by federal agents.”

— Mary Zendejas, First District Councilmember (presstelegram.com)

“This conversation is happening because residents demanded accountability and refused to accept delay or silence that civic engagement matters and exactly how local government should work.”

— Joni Ricks-Oddie, Ninth District Councilmember (presstelegram.com)

What’s next

The resolution will return to the Long Beach City Council for final approval, and upon adoption, it will be sent to members of the California congressional delegation, California's U.S. senators, and other appropriate federal, state, and local entities.

The takeaway

This resolution is a significant step taken by the City of Long Beach to stand in solidarity with its immigrant community and demand accountability and change at the federal level. It reflects the growing nationwide movement to hold the Department of Homeland Security and its leadership responsible for the harmful impacts of its immigration enforcement policies on local communities.