NEWS & UPDATES from press
Will Santa Ana Neuter its Police Oversight Commission Before its Work Begins?
July 15, 2025
Voice of OC
"City Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez said the proposed changes to the commission was the 'bidding' of the Mayor – whose reelection campaign last year received nearly $100,000 from the police union. He also called it quid pro quo politics and an effort to give police total immunity."
Federal Judge Orders Immigration Agents to Halt Stops Based on Race
July 12, 2025
Voice of OC
“In a Thursday phone interview, Santa Ana City Councilman Johnathan Hernandez said if Orange County’s only sanctuary city joined the lawsuit, it would encourage neighboring cities to do the same.”
In officer-involved shootings, some police interrogate family about victim before disclosing their death
July 12, 2025
Reveal News
"Johnathan Ryan Hernandez ran for a city council seat in Santa Ana, California when he was in his twenties. He said, 'So when I ran against a sheriff at 27, I was seen as a kid, seen as somebody who wasn’t necessarily a challenge.'"
Questions Continue Mounting Over ICE Raids in Orange County
July 11, 2025
Voice of OC
“If there’s a majority in favor, I think that we can also encourage neighboring cities to do the same,” Hernandez said in a Thursday phone interview, adding that the city had a clear case.”
Santa Ana keeps 4th of July event, creates fund for families impacted by immigration enforcement
July 2, 2025
KCAL News
"I'm not going to be supportive of defunding events in the brownest city in Orange County and making the public choose between celebrating our culture or giving mutual aid; we should be doing both," Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez said.
Time to Unmask Trump’s Detention and Deportation Squads
June 26, 2025
Democracy Now!
“City of Santa Ana councilmember Jonathan Hernandez, also on Democracy Now!, added, “We are watching violence unfold, racial profiling increase in cities like Santa Ana,…agents come into our community, and they’re refusing to identify themselves, they don’t have judicial warrants and these ICE raids are an example of the government’s overreach”
“Inhumane”: Marine Veteran Calls for ICE to Release His Father After Video of Brutal Arrest Goes Viral
June 25, 2025
Democracy Now!
“We are seeing an extreme abuse of power on the screens of our phones,” says Santa Ana Councilmember John Hernandez, who adds that Barranco is a “hardworking Santa Ana resident of over three decades, who has raised three children who have all decided to sacrifice their freedom for this country that we love.”
What’s behind the sharp decline in Santa Ana’s cannabis tax revenue?
June 25, 2025
Voice of OC
“We’re building parks and funding libraries and good programs with cannabis monies,” Hernandez said, “and we want to make sure that continues.”
Marine Corps veteran says he feels betrayed after his father was arrested by masked federal agents in Southern California
June 23, 2025
CNN
“Hernandez said that Mexicans and Mexican Americans are ‘some of the hardest working examples of what America has to provide’…’A day without Mexicans in this country is a day without America.’”
Orange County Grapples With Federal Occupation
June 20, 2025
Voice of OC
“Santa Ana City Councilman Johnathan Hernandez – who lives down the street from where the man was arrested – was warning residents that federal agents were in the area within minutes of the immigration sweep….He was passing out red cards to residents, which detail their rights in Spanish.”
Stress, Anxiety, and Fear Among Entrepreneurs of the City of Santa Ana
June 23, 2025
News247plus
“I want to collaborate with the city manager’s office and my colleagues through a transparent process where we can publicly put together a policy that provides mutual aid to pay for rent, utilities, and gas with the grants we have…” said the councilmember, who has historically supported the migrant community.
Santana: What Happens to Orange County's Disappeared?
June 19, 2025
Voice of OC
“City Councilman Jonathan Hernandez said he’ll be asking city officials to set up their own website detailing who’s been swept off Santa Ana streets.”
Santa Ana Residents Demand Mayor Resign, Citing Weak Response to ICE Raids, Protests
June 18, 2025
Voice of OC
“The violence that is being talked about was inflicted by our own police department,” Hernandez said at Tuesday’s meeting… “‘I watched Santa Ana PD utilize these very tactics. They would shoot tear gas into the direction that they wanted people to flee, and when your back was turned, they would shoot you. I still have the bruises on my back from the eight shots that my own officers fired at me. I still have the holes in my black shirt.’”
Anger in Santa Ana
June 18, 2025
LAist
One of those condemning the Santa Ana Police Department was Santa Ana Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez, who said he was shot at eight times with rubber bullets as he marched alongside residents in a place that bills itself as a "sanctuary city."
Santa Ana leader says city police officers shot at him using rubber bullets during ICE protests
June 18, 2025
LAist
“‘I still have the holes in my black shirt that my own officers from this city fired at me. I had no weapons on me.’”…Hernandez said officers also taunted him, calling him by name and saying, “‘How dare you protest?’” He also said he witnessed police officers shooting rubber bullets at children.
Santa Ana's Response to ICE Protests Prompt Questions for Police & Mayor
June 17, 2025
Voice of OC
“Councilman Johnathan Hernandez, who’s routinely been at the protests, is critical of the police response….[Hernandez] said it’s time for city council members to examine the police department’s response to the protests. ‘What we’re seeing is a pattern in the mistreatment of the public.”
ICE presence frays politics in Santa Ana, Orange County's only sanctuary city
June 17, 2025
LAist
“Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez said that more than 70% of the city’s residents are Latino, mostly of Mexican descent, and a lot of them are very scared. ‘They're afraid to come out. We're seeing children not coming out of their homes and going into parks. We're seeing people not go to work. And we're seeing a lot of people who are just simply so afraid that they are considering leaving this country,’ he said.”
Immigration raids expand into Orange County neighborhoods
June 16, 2025
KNX News
“Shortly after it happened, Santa Ana Councilman Jonathan Hernandez, who lives right down the street, warned neighbors in Spanish to look out for federal immigration agents. He told the Voice of OC that this was the first time ICE agents were spotted in a neighborhood in Santa Ana.”
Immigration Sweeps Hit a Santa Ana Neighborhood on Father's Day
June 15, 2025
Voice of OC
“Santa Ana Councilman Johnathan Hernandez, who lives right down the street from where it happened near El Salvador Park, was telling neighbors in Spanish to look out for federal immigration authorities. ‘Trucha, La Migra,’ Hernandez said to numerous people out for walks late Sunday morning.”
Deportation fears persist in Orange County as ICE protests continue
June 12, 2025
Voice of OC
“Hernandez remarked, ‘I have seen the protests remain peaceful because residents are confronting each other for being their best selves,’ praising the community unity in these demonstrations.”
Elected officials call for end to ICE operations in Orange County
June 12, 2025
Fullerton Observer
“Councilmember Hernandez joined leaders calling to restrict ICE activity in Orange County, stating it’s ‘time we take collective action to protect our immigrant communities.’”
Calls Grow for Military to Stop ‘Occupying' Orange County
June 11, 2025
Voice of OC
“‘We don’t need militarized police forces brutalizing people protesting,’ Hernandez said, echoing sentiment expressed by Congressman Correa earlier that day.”
What to do if ICE agents show up at your home in Southern California
June 10, 2025
LA Daily News
“Hernandez provided guidance to residents, reminding them, ‘You have the right to remain silent,’ and explaining steps to protect legal rights.”
Orange County leaders demand end to ICE raids and federal law enforcement presence
June 10, 2025
The OC Register
“Santa Ana Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez described what he sees as ripple effects on daily life. ‘Over the last couple of days, we have seen violence terrorize our community, forcing families to not go to work, forcing children to not come out of their homes,’ he said.”
Orange County Braces For ICE
June 9, 2025
Voice of OC
“Santa Ana City Councilman Jonathan Hernandez, who pushed for the proposed ICE notification policy, said recent actions have motivated him to ask city officials to bring back that policy much quicker than originally expected.”
Hernandez speaks at ICE protests
June 9, 2025
Facebook Watch
“Captured on camera urging action, he called out ICE raids targeting immigrant communities, encouraging local law enforcement to protect vulnerable residents.”
Santa Ana considering policy notifying public of ICE presence within city limits
May 23, 2025
ABC7 News
“Hernandez proposed a transparency measure: ‘It would be directing … any communications we receive from ICE is communicated to the public … within 48 hours.’”
Santa Ana City Council votes to move forward with further look at ICE operation alert system
May 20, 2025
CBS News
“(Johnathan) emphasized the importance of trust, noting: ‘Our police department received 42 notifications … This is an opportunity for us to build trust with our community.’”
Santana: The Art of Standing Up While Laying Low on Immigration Crackdown
May 20, 2025
Voice of OC
“…Hernandez told a Voice of OC reporter that Santa Ana is already on Trump’s radar. ‘We’re the only sanctuary city in Orange County,’ he said. ‘We’re going to stand up to the bullies.’”
Santa Ana Officials to Assess Risks of Publicly Disclosing ICE Activity in the City
May 20, 2025
Voice of OC
“Hernandez pushed for transparency protocols, leading the council to direct staff ‘to come back with answers on the risks … of disclosing ICE courtesy calls.’”
Santa Ana has a new affordable housing apartment community called Archways
April 14, 2025
New Santa Ana
“[Councilmember] Johnathan Ryan Hernandez…spoke at the event and joined in the ribbon cutting”
Thousands Gather in Orange County for "Hands Off" Protest Against Trump Administration
April 6, 2025
Fullerton Observer
“Johnathan Ryan Hernandez and Jessie Lopez, along with Tustin Veterans’ School District Trustee Allyson Damikolas, addressing urgent issues from veterans’ rights to public education funding”
Two Santa Ana progressives make bids for the 68th Assembly District
February 25, 2025
LA Times
“Hernandez, a Chicano, grew up in Santa Ana’s Artesia-Pilar neighborhood, which he now represents as a councilman. Since first winning election in 2020, he has called himself the “progressive leader” of the council on issues like legalizing street cruising, declaring August as Chicano Heritage Month and police oversight.”
Santa Ana reaffirms city's sanctuary promises
February 6, 2025
The OC Register
“Hernandez joined calls to uphold sanctuary commitments, urging the council to clarify next steps for forming the advisory board.
Mayor, reelected councilmembers say ready to face Santa Ana's needs, work together
December 13, 2024
The OC Register
“‘As councilmember, I have led efforts to pass public policy that improve the quality of life and addresses inequalities,’ Hernandez said, pointing to rent control and affordable housing. ‘The people want progress and that’s what we’re going to give to them.’”
Ballot measure to expand voting rights for noncitizens
December 8, 2025
Spectrum News 1
“Hernandez joined calls to uphold sanctuary commitments, urging the council to clarify next steps for forming the advisory board.
Santa Ana Measure DD: Allowing noncitizens to vote in local Santa Ana elections
September 12, 2024
LAist
“Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez and others brought the issue back before the council, noting that Santa Ana has the largest number of noncitizens in Orange County, around 24 percent of the city’s population…”
Ballot measure to expand voting rights for noncitizens
December 8, 2023
SpectrumNews1
“‘This isn’t a city council giving voting powers to our neighbors who have been disenfranchised. This is the will of the voters,’ Hernandez said.”
Santa Ana gathers to celebrate its Chicano heritage
August 19, 2023
The OC Register
“The Chicano Heritage Festival is about bringing the community together, Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez said, ‘to celebrate our stories and to celebrate our history and to look forward to where we’re going together.’”
Santa Ana councilmember wants attacks against street vendors to be classified as hate crimes
July 18, 2022
ABC7 News
"I saw a rise in attacks this year. Street vendors that I know, and grew up with, shared with me that they were recently robbed," Hernandez said. The councilmember hopes street vendors will be further protected through his proposal, which he will make during Tuesday's city council meeting.”
Police play Disney tunes to prevent video of them on patrol being posted online, California lawmaker claims
April 27, 2022
CNN
“It’s quite clear that this is a practice we can’t condone, it is an unethical practice, and as members of the community, especially public servants, it’s not something we can support as a city,” Hernandez said during the City Council meeting.
Santa Ana's new Councilman Johnathan Hernandez: Homegrown in Artesia Pilar
December 16, 2020
The OC Register
“I set myself on a mission to help people who have backgrounds like mine. I want to tell their stories.”
Roses in the Concrete: How Santa Ana Unidos Non-Profit are Investing in Youth
June 24, 2018
OC Weekly
“‘Roses in the concrete has become this platform for students to share stories about themselves and to share stories about different struggles that they’ve endured,’” he says. “‘Now it’s a movement, I have kids in juvenile hall sending letters about their stories.’”