Police Chief Rodriguez testifies about DACA at Senate Spotlight Forum

Santa Ana Chief of Police Robert Rodriguez was invited to provide witness testimony at a Senate Spotlight Forum on May 12, 2026, in Washington D.C. to highlight concerns over threats to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and to renew calls for passage of the Dream Act. Hosted by Senators Dick Durbin, Mark Kelly and Alex Padilla, the forum focused on reported delays in DACA renewals, deportation concerns and the legal uncertainty facing Dreamers under current federal immigration policies.

Chief Rodriguez provided testimony about immigrating to California from Tijuana, Mexico, serving in the Marines, receiving citizenship through the Reagan-era amnesty law in 1986, and ultimately, dedicating his career to public service as the 22nd Chief of Police of the City of Santa Ana. Chief Rodriguez added that delays in renewals for DACA recipients is directly affecting public safety at the local level. As a result, he faces difficult decisions about dismissing DACA employees, by law and not by choice, due to current Federal regulations.