When it comes to the ramped-up immigration enforcement seen in Southern California, Rep. Lou Correa has some advice for anyone, regardless of their immigration status: Have a plan in place.
“Despite the chaos in our streets, it’s important to remind all that our Constitution still guarantees each and every person certain inalienable rights: the right to remain silent, to contact an attorney and have their case heard before a judge,” said the Santa Ana Democrat.
“And all of us should have a plan in place. Even American citizens should know what to do if we are detained by a masked agent, or a family member is detained or deported,” he added.
The Trump administration has made immigration reform — and in particular, an emphasis on deportations — a key mark of the president’s second term in the White House. Early messaging from the administration focused on removing dangerous criminals who were in the country illegally, but White House border czar Tom Homan recently said anyone in the country illegally, even without a criminal record, should be arrested.
Correa said he wants to ensure law enforcement officers and DHS agents display clearly their identification and insignia when detaining or arresting individuals so people know they are legitimate officers. He also said his office is tracking how many Americans are being arrested or deported or seeing their rights violated.
“We are seeing a very ugly chapter of American history unfolding before our eyes,” Correa said. “It has happened before. We must not sit idle as American-born citizens are deported this time.”
We’re catching our readers up with the six House members who represent at least a portion of Orange County. We asked each lawmaker several questions — tailored to their policy expertise, committee assignments or votes — as well as a personal bonus question.
Correa, 67, represents California’s 46th Congressional District in Orange County. Correa is a longtime resident of Orange County, who boasts living only 3 miles from his childhood Anaheim neighborhood.
Read on to find out more about what Correa thinks of Congress’ responsibility to fund local projects, recent talks about political rhetoric and more.
Q: As the government shutdown continues with no end in sight, what are you seeing as the biggest impact on the communities you represent? Is there a short-term fix you’d encourage while the shutdown continues?
A: My office and I have been working around the clock, checking in with our local airport workers, WIC providers and federal workers, to see what support they need to keep working to keep our passengers safe, while they survive without pay. Our federal workers that we rely on will now go work without pay.
We ask our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join Democrats in ending this shutdown. Democrats are fighting to keep health care affordable for American citizens — Democrat and Republican alike.
Q: As negotiations continue, is there a specific area where you see your party could come to a compromise with the other side of the aisle to move the needle closer on ending the shutdown?
A: You can’t compromise when it comes to affordable health care for American citizens. I was sent to Washington to make the lives of our constituents a little bit better, not to compromise on affordable health care.
The “Big Ugly Bill” cut federal support for the Affordable Care Act. If federal support for the ACA and Medicaid are not restored, 22 million Americans, including over 2 million Californians, will see their premiums increase by thousands of dollars at the beginning of next year. Many will not be able to afford health care and will go uninsured. This is not in the best interest of Americans.
Q: While federal workers don’t get paid during shutdowns, members of Congress do. Many have asked for their pay to be withheld; are you one of those members? Why or why not?
A: Yes. Sadly, because of the federal government shutdown, air traffic controllers, U.S. Border Patrol agents and active-duty military members will continue to work, some without a paycheck. As long as federal workers don’t get paid, I refuse to take my paycheck. I’ve requested that my paycheck be withheld until this government shutdown is over and those most hurt by the shutdown are made whole.
Q: You are part of a legislative team that has called for a probe into the arrests — and even deportations — of U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement operations. What could Congress do to ensure that Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are verifying citizenship?
A: The Constitution gave Congress the power of the purse and oversight authority. Republicans and Democrats in Congress must come together to exercise our responsibility of oversight of the executive branch to protect all American citizens and ensure that the rights of American citizens are protected.
Homeland Security and other federal and state authorities must comply with the Constitution and not deport American citizens. Having masked federal officers in our streets creates terror and chaos in our streets. One is never sure if it’s a federal agent or a “look-alike criminal.”
I recently joined my colleagues in introducing the No Secret Police Act, requiring law enforcement officers and DHS agents to clearly display identification and insignia when detaining or arresting individuals. What is happening in our communities is no longer just about undocumented immigrants; it’s about legal immigrants and American citizens.
Many Americans are being arrested, and some are being deported. My office is also working to monitor cases of American citizens whose rights have been violated, and to keep track of how many have been deported. We are seeing a very ugly chapter of American history unfolding before our eyes. It has happened before. We must not sit idle as American-born citizens are deported this time.
Q: You voted against the massive spending cuts bill that was ultimately signed into law over the summer, citing the cuts it made to Medicaid and Medicare, among other assistance areas. What is some guidance you’re giving local nonprofits and organizations that address health care gaps in your district? In other words, what is a solution to problems you identified with that bill?
A: The fight for affordable health care extends far beyond the Trump administration’s threats to Medicaid and other subsidized health care. About 15 years ago, the Affordable Care Act became law under immense pressure. It granted millions of Californians, and millions across the nation, health care coverage in a “private market setting” supported by federal funds. Young people today under the age of 26 can thank the ACA for allowing them to stay on their parents’ insurance as dependents past the age of 22. The ACA also outlawed preexisting conditions, like cancers, as a reason to deny health care coverage. These are just a few reasons why the ACA remains the law of the land. It’s working and is very popular, and that’s why both Democrats and Republicans have supported the ACA to this day.
Sadly, this year, President Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill,” included tax cuts. These tax cuts are being paid for by eliminating federal funding for programs like the ACA. While the administration may not have eliminated the ACA, they are defunding and weakening it.
When I was in the California State Senate, I voted to implement the ACA, and I continue to support getting more Californians health care coverage. Preventive health care saves taxpayers money.
Since the “Big Ugly Bill” was signed into law, I’ve held community conversations with local health care providers and constituents to ensure that they’re aware of the changes coming, so they can prepare and try to put together contingency plans. Most of the cuts and impacts will phase in late this year or early next year. My advice to local health care providers, the doctors, the hospitals, and more, is to tell the truth. Tell the truth about the cuts to the ACA to your patients and whom do these cuts affect. There’s a lot of political spin, but the truth is simple: These cuts affect all of us. If you are concerned about how these cuts will affect you personally, ask your local health provider.
Q: There has been a lot of talk about political rhetoric and civil discourse in this country in recent months. How do you define civil discourse? And what is one thing you are doing to be a leader in your community amid calls to tone down rhetoric?
A: There’s an increase in political violence on both sides of the aisle, first with the killing of two lawmakers in Minnesota, and then Charlie Kirk, to name a few.
Elected officials, from local councilmembers to Congress members, are threatened. Political assassinations and other acts of violence hurt our freedom of speech, our democracy and our nation. This is the United States of America. We have prided ourselves on being able to agree to disagree and not kill each other. In many third-world nations, if you lose an election, you’re either executed or banished. In this nation, if you lose an election, you’re still permitted to live your life in America in peace. Is this changing? Do we as Americans now hate each other that much that we look to kill anyone who disagrees with us?
Freedom of speech is the hallmark of American democracy. And that’s why I joined my colleagues and voted to condemn the assassination of Charlie Kirk and have spoken out against the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and against the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show.
Our founding fathers enshrined freedom of speech in the First Amendment, not the second or the 10th, but the first. We can disagree on our views and our message, but disagreements should never lead to political violence or political assassination or the silencing of voices we might disagree with. Many of my constituents may disagree with me; we debate, we raise our voices and yet we also agree on many issues. And once in a while, we end up agreeing on those issues we originally disagreed on.
Q: Cities have so much to do with maintaining roads and parks and public works. Aside from earmarks, what could Congress do to help alleviate the strain that comes with local projects?
A: Congress passes a transportation bill every five years, yet Congress has also long struggled to pass a full-year spending bill or Farm Bill on time.
Giving locals access to their federal tax dollars, in a timely and predictable manner, will help local governments roll out their local construction projects in a cost-effective manner. Smart planning and timely construction save dollars and enable locals to be more efficient with our precious tax dollars.
Congress must also look to address “the elephant in the middle of the room” — the permitting process or “red tape” — at all levels. Each level of government has good reasons, valid reasons, for their regulations — whether city, county, local, state or federal. When good projects take decades to approve, it’s unacceptable. Congress needs to take a leadership role in “streamlining” regulations. Let’s address concerns of intended regulations while creating a more efficient way to move projects to completion, whether it be a road built or new housing that the young people can afford. It’s sad to see the new generation lose faith in the American dream of home ownership.
Q: As the chair of the Vietnam Caucus, how are you addressing concerns from residents in the Little Saigon area — and elsewhere — who are concerned about going to their immigration check-ins for fear of being detained, separated from their families and/or deported. Are there things Congress can do to help those fears? What is something that you’re encouraging local immigrant rights groups to do to help those in your district?
A: Many of my tax-paying constituents are fearful of what might happen at their next immigration check-in, and many small businesses are going out of business because their customers are no longer shopping, fearing federal immigration raids. I have personally hosted many “Know Your Rights” town halls, and my office has put together resources for individuals and small business owners to ensure that they know their rights and have handed out thousands of pamphlets, putting hundreds of fliers in windows along Main Street, and hosted citizenship clinics across the district.
Despite the chaos in our streets, it’s important to remind all that our Constitution still guarantees each and every person certain inalienable rights: the right to remain silent, to contact an attorney and have their case heard before a judge. And all of us should have a plan in place. Even American citizens should know what to do if we are detained by a masked agent, or a family member is detained or deported. Do we all need to carry an American passport? I can’t believe I am even asking this question. My office is able to help. Call us at 714-559-6190.
Bonus question: If you are throwing a dinner party, what is the signature dish you would make for your guests?
A: Fish tacos with lots of good Cali-Mexican hot sauce.
Originally Published: October 21, 2025 at 7:00 AM PDT