Republican state senator faces heated exchanges over immigration, housing at Palm Springs town hall

State Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh encountered passionate pushback from residents during her first Palm Springs town hall Wednesday evening, as tensions flared over immigration enforcement fears and controversial housing legislation that critics say undermines local control.

The Republican senator, who represents the newly redrawn 19th District covering parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties including Palm Springs, defended her legislative record and governing philosophy before about three dozen residents at City Hall during what she said was her 69th town hall since May 2022.

The most contentious moments came when residents challenged Ochoa Bogh on immigration and housing density bills. One Latino resident displayed his passport, saying he now carries it because “if you look too Mexican, you got problems” under current federal immigration enforcement.

“I had a policeman come to my door years ago, not this administration, but randomly got the wrong address. He saw my license and said, ‘What else you got to prove that that’s you?'” the resident said.

Ochoa Bogh acknowledged the fears, revealing that her own aunt, sister to her immigrant father, now carries a passport in San Diego.

“I hear you. I don’t dispute that experience and that fear that you have right now,” she said.

The senator called California’s immigration system “broken” and said she has written a bipartisan letter to the federal government requesting expedited work permits for essential industries. She argued that California has educated undocumented students through college with taxpayer funds but cannot legally employ them.

Equally heated was an exchange with a Palm Springs homeowner who accused the senator of voting for bills that strip local control over development. The resident said he had been denied three meetings with her office about proposed rezoning that would allow five- and seven-story buildings next to single-family homes.

“Your single family home will be significantly diminished in value and enjoyment if the proposed zoning is approved,” the resident said. “Do you view our financial and personal losses as acceptable collateral damage?”

Ochoa Bogh defended her votes on SB 79 and SB 2011, saying they were intended to streamline housing development and that SB 79 specifically excludes Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The resident countered that city officials were citing these bills to justify the rezoning.

Throughout the evening, Ochoa Bogh emphasized her approach to governing as one of 10 Republican senators in a chamber with 30 Democrats. She stressed that passing legislation requires her to work across party lines.

“Republicans are not a threat in California. They don’t have the numbers,” she said. “If I’m trying to introduce and pass legislation in the state, I have to cross lines. I have to work on issues that are pertinent to both Democrats and Republicans.”

The senator said she avoids “partisan theater” and focuses on practical governance, noting that the Democratic majority has controlled the state Senate for over 40 years and the Assembly for about 25 years.

Despite the confrontational moments — and a failed attempt to start the event with a prayer — Ochoa Bogh maintained her commitment to transparency and constituent engagement, saying her open-door policy extends to all residents regardless of political affiliation.

“Once we are elected, we have a fiduciary duty to represent all of our constituents, regardless of political party or demographic,” she said.

The town hall was part of Ochoa Bogh’s effort to familiarize herself with the 55% of her district that is new following redistricting. She won election in 2024 after defeating former Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton, a Democrat, by a margin of 55% to 45%.

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