Chief Robert Rodriguez joined the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) earlier this year. In this interview, Chief Rodriguez shares aspects of his story and journey as a former undocumented immigrant, his path to citizenship through military service, and his career in law enforcement. 

The chief’s responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Given your journey as an immigrant from Tijuana to Santa Ana, what inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement?

I was inspired by the positive impact that law enforcement could have on communities like mine. My experiences instilled a deep commitment to service, bridging the gap between law enforcement and immigrant communities. This drive, combined with my time in the Marine Corps, led me to pursue a career in policing to ensure that all individuals, regardless of background, feel protected, heard, and respected.

How has your perspective influenced the way you approach creating trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement? 

My lived experience as a former undocumented immigrant gives me a unique understanding of the fear and hesitation many immigrant communities feel toward law enforcement. This perspective has shaped my approach to building trust by prioritizing transparency, community engagement, and policies emphasizing safety and support rather than fear.

As an immigrant advancing through the law enforcement ranks, what obstacles did you encounter and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest obstacles I faced was the assumption that I was a natural-born U.S. citizen in law enforcement and during my time in the Marine Corps. Because of my service, many of my peers and colleagues never questioned my background, unaware that I had once been an undocumented immigrant. The unique challenges I had overcome, navigating life in the shadows, facing barriers to opportunity, and carrying the weight of uncertainty, were often invisible to those around me.

Despite this, I never let these assumptions define me. Instead, I focused on proving myself through hard work, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to service. I embraced leadership opportunities, ensuring that my performance spoke for itself. Over time, I came to see my background not as a challenge but as a strength that allows me to bring a unique perspective to law enforcement, build trust with communities that often feel unheard, and serve with empathy and purpose.

How do you balance your personal experiences as an immigrant with the responsibilities of enforcing immigration-related policies?

Balancing my personal experiences as a former undocumented immigrant with the responsibility of enforcing immigration-related policies requires a commitment to fairness, professionalism, and the core principles of community trust. My background gives me a deep understanding of the fears and challenges immigrant communities face, which informs my approach to policing, ensuring that our department prioritizes safety, service, and constitutional policing over unnecessary enforcement actions that erode trust.

As a municipal law enforcement agency, we derive our authority from the state constitution and local municipal code. We are not federal immigration officers and will not break the law (SB 54 CA Values Act)  to enforce the law. Our focus remains on protecting public safety, fostering community relationships, and ensuring that all residents, regardless of immigration status, feel safe reporting crimes and seeking assistance. This approach allows us to uphold our oath while building trust with those we serve.

Given your unique path to citizenship through military service, how do you view the potential for noncitizens, like DACA recipients, to serve in law enforcement roles?

Having earned my path to citizenship through military service, I strongly believe in providing opportunities for noncitizens, including DACA recipients, to serve in law enforcement roles. Many of these individuals have grown up in our communities, attended our schools, and share a deep commitment to public service. Their lived experiences, language skills, and cultural understanding can be invaluable in strengthening trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.

Your appointment was announced at the elementary school where you once attended. How do you plan to collaborate with local schools to build positive relationships between law enforcement and the youth of Santa Ana, especially given the recent policy changes allowing ICE raids in schools?

Being appointed as Chief of Police at Russell Elementary was a meaningful moment that reinforced my commitment to engaging with the youth of Santa Ana. Schools are vital spaces where trust, safety, and opportunity should thrive. I am committed to ensuring students and families feel supported by their local police department. I recognize that concerns about immigration enforcement in schools have created fear among some families, often fueled by misinformation. In my recent discussions with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), they reaffirmed that no raids are occurring in schools, and we must address false narratives that contribute to unnecessary anxiety in our community.

Our department remains committed to public safety, ensuring that all students, regardless of background, feel secure in their learning environments. We can help create a safe and supportive atmosphere for Santa Ana’s youth by fostering open communication and reinforcing our role as protectors and partners.

What motivated you to become a part of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF), and which aspect of the task force are you most excited to contribute to?

My motivation to join the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) stems from my experience as a former undocumented immigrant and my deep commitment to building trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. As a child, I was taught to deny where I was born and always to say that I was a U.S. citizen. I assume my father took this approach with my brothers and me out of fear that we might be deported. As I grew older, especially in high school, I found myself living a lie, constantly having to say I was born in the U.S. whenever asked. That experience shaped my understanding of living in fear and uncertainty, never fully feeling like I belonged, even in the only country I considered home.

Now, as a public servant, I see my role as an opportunity to help bridge the gap between policing and immigrant communities by fostering trust, transparency, and policies that prioritize public safety over fear. I am most excited to contribute to community policing strategies that encourage immigrant cooperation with law enforcement, ensuring that all residents feel safe reporting crimes and seeking assistance without their status being a barrier. Additionally, I look forward to advocating for balanced policies that uphold the rule of law while fostering trust and ensuring that local law enforcement remains focused on its core mission, protecting and serving all community members.

The LEITF would like to thank Marina Caraballo, Spring Intern, for her contribution to this blog post.