Costa Mesa voters pressed candidates Thursday on how the city should respond to a surge in immigration enforcement in Southern California and address a persistent housing shortfall that has landed the city in court. The questions, posed at a forum organized by several local nonprofits and community groups, highlighted two interlocking policy challenges: support for immigrant workers and the city’s obligation to meet state housing mandates.
Community groups convene forum as election nears
The event was hosted by Resilience OC, Lucha Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa Mutual Aid, Costa Mesa Unidos, CHAMOY, Underground Grit, Project Kinship and OC Action, organizations that work on issues ranging from mutual aid and immigrant support to housing and civic engagement. Organizers invited all candidates for mayor and city council; several invited candidates, including Mike Buley, Daniel Morgan, Fisher Derderian and Steve Smith, did not take part.
Speakers and audience members focused much of the discussion on whether Costa Mesa should reestablish or fund a dedicated day laborer job center — a local resource intended to connect day laborers with paid work, protect them from unsafe hiring practices and provide a point of contact for services.
- All participating candidates expressed support for funding a day laborer job center.
- Organizers and advocates pressed for concrete proposals to ensure safe employment and access to services for immigrant workers.
- Candidates varied in how they framed next steps, with some asking for more information before proposing specific programs.
“I would be interested to learn more about the particular needs of day laborers in Costa Mesa. I would want to learn more about the problem before suggesting the solution.”
The remark was made by Kelly Brown, a candidate for District 5, who emphasized a fact-finding approach before committing to particular policy prescriptions.
Housing compliance and legal pressure
Panelists also referenced the city’s ongoing struggle to meet state-mandated housing targets. Costa Mesa was sued by the state in July for lacking a legally compliant housing plan, a development that carries operational and policy consequences for municipal leaders. The lawsuit underscores the state’s enforcement mechanisms for local housing elements and raises questions about zoning, development capacity and timelines for remedy.
City policymakers and candidates face practical choices that affect planning, permitting and negotiations with developers. How the next council addresses zoning reforms, density allowances and affordable housing incentives could determine whether the city satisfies state requirements without prolonged litigation or fiscal penalties.
Immigration enforcement in the region elevates urgency
Speakers at the forum tied the local policy conversation to broader regional events. Organizers noted a spike in immigration enforcement activity in Southern California, and cited recent incidents in neighboring cities where immigrant advocates were detained while observing federal or local agents. Those occurrences have sharpened calls from advocacy groups for municipal safeguards and local resources to protect immigrant residents’ access to work and services.
For many attendees, a city-funded day laborer center is seen as both a practical workforce service and a buffer against exploitative or unsafe hiring. Advocates argued it can provide documentation support, safety briefings, and an identifiable place for day laborers to seek help — services that become more critical amid heightened enforcement.
| Forum hosts | Focus |
|---|---|
| Resilience OC | Community resilience, mutual aid |
| Lucha Costa Mesa | Day laborer support, worker safety |
| Costa Mesa Mutual Aid, Costa Mesa Unidos | Community services and advocacy |
| CHAMOY, Underground Grit, Project Kinship, OC Action | Civic engagement and immigrant support |
Organizers and candidates did not produce a unified, detailed plan at the forum. Instead, the event functioned as a listening and accountability moment: residents and groups sought commitments and clarity about how incoming or returning officials would act if elected.
As the November election approaches, voters in Costa Mesa will weigh candidate promises against the practical demands of meeting state housing law and addressing community needs amid a climate of increased immigration enforcement. The outcomes of these decisions will influence local land use, social services and public safety practices in ways that extend beyond a single term.
Reporting at the forum emphasized collaboration between local government and community organizations as a likely pathway to immediate, implementable measures — such as a day laborer job center — while longer-term policy reforms around housing remain subject to state oversight and legal timelines.
