A Santa Ana city councilwoman has sparked intense debate after openly stating that approximately one-third of her district’s population consists of undocumented immigrants and advocating for their participation in local elections.
Thai Viet Phan, a Democratic council member who describes herself as a “historic first” in the city, made the comments during a panel discussion hosted by the Harbor Institute for Economic Justice. In remarks that have since circulated widely on social media, Phan addressed what she characterized as a representation crisis in her community.
“Nearly one in three adults in Santa Ana cannot vote,” Phan stated during the panel. “The reality is that a large number of our residents are undocumented, are paying taxes, do work in our communities.” She continued by arguing that residents “don’t feel represented by their government locally and federally,” attributing this in part to their inability to vote.
Phan defended her position by framing voting access as fundamentally American. “I think that is the most American thing to do, is to say that everybody who lives here, who cares about this community, has a voice,” she said. “And by allowing noncitizen residents to be able to participate in our government makes our city safer, makes our city more vibrant, and makes our communities stronger.”
The Demographics and Voting Patterns
Santa Ana’s population is notably diverse, with American Thinker reporting that 77 percent of residents are Latino and 12 percent are Asian. The city has seen changes in voter participation rates in recent years, with Orange County voter turnout dropping approximately ten percentage points since the pandemic, according to official records cited in the report.
The question of whether this decline reflects a district with a large non-voting population of undocumented residents, or whether some undocumented individuals are participating in elections, remains a point of contention. The participation rate among eligible voters in the area stands at about 86 percent, creating what some observers view as an ambiguous picture of who is actually casting ballots.
NGO Executive’s Revealing Comments
Perhaps even more controversial than Phan’s remarks were comments made by Carlos Perea, Executive Director of the Harbor Institute for Economic Justice, who appeared alongside the councilwoman at the panel discussion. At approximately the four-minute mark of the video, Perea stated: “We try to establish political rights for immigrants by ensuring that noncitizens come out to vote, and that’s still an ongoing fight, an ongoing struggle, and we will continue to push on that.”
The phrase “ensuring that noncitizens come out to vote” has raised eyebrows among critics who view it as an admission of encouraging illegal voting activity. According to American Thinker, Perea delivered these remarks with what the outlet described as “a little faint smirk,” suggesting a cavalier attitude toward the legal boundaries of electoral participation.
Legislative Push Failed
According to the social media post that brought attention to Phan’s comments, the councilwoman had proposed legislation to allow non-citizen voting at the local level. That effort was reportedly rejected by residents, though the specific mechanism of rejection and timeline were not detailed in the available information.
The push for non-citizen voting rights is not unique to Santa Ana. Various municipalities across the country have debated or implemented forms of non-citizen voting in local elections, typically limited to legal residents rather than undocumented immigrants. However, Phan’s specific reference to “undocumented” residents distinguishes her proposal from those focused on legal permanent residents or visa holders.
Legal and Political Context
The controversy comes at a time when California’s approach to non-citizen voting has drawn increased scrutiny. American Thinker notes that judges have overruled Trump administration efforts to address what critics characterize as non-citizen voting problems in the state, though specific details of these legal battles were not provided in the source material.
Federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections, and most states extend this prohibition to state and local contests as well. Advocates for expanded voting rights argue that residents who pay taxes and contribute to their communities deserve a voice in local governance, regardless of immigration status. Opponents contend that voting is a fundamental right reserved for citizens who have made a legal commitment to the country.
Questions About Representation and Loyalty
Critics of Phan’s position argue that undocumented immigrants maintain citizenship ties to their countries of origin, where they retain voting rights and representation. American Thinker’s commentary suggests that foreign nationals who have “broken U.S. immigration law” should not expect representation in American government, noting that they “have plenty of representation, as well as voting rights, back home in Mexico, Honduras, and the other countries of their citizenship.”
The outlet also raises concerns about what it characterizes as politicians seeking to “harvest citizen resources” by expanding the voter base to include those who are not legally entitled to participate in American elections. The suggestion is that elected officials like Phan may be motivated by political considerations rather than principles of democratic representation.
Calls for Investigation
The American Thinker piece suggests that Perea’s organization should be investigated by authorities, specifically mentioning U.S. Attorney General Bill Essayli as someone who has been working on related issues. The outlet frames the situation as one where “NGOs and ambitious politicians encourage” illegal voting, resulting in American citizens having “their votes canceled out by this culture of illegality.”
Whether any formal investigation will result from these comments remains to be seen. The remarks have already generated significant attention on social media, with calls for increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in Santa Ana appearing in viral posts about the controversy.
The debate over non-citizen voting rights continues to reflect broader national tensions over immigration policy, civic participation, and the definition of political community in an increasingly diverse America. Phan’s candid acknowledgment of her district’s demographics and her advocacy position have ensured that Santa Ana will remain at the center of this contentious conversation.
Source: www.americanthinker.com — https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/10/california-city-councilwoman-says-her-district-is-one-third-illegals-and-she-wants-them-to-vote/