City officials are hoping residents will take part in a thoughtful debate on illegal immigration - a topic that in recent weeks has raised tempers in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The City Council voted unanimously this week to host an illegal immigration study session. While no date for the study session has been set, there will be an opportunity for the public to talk about the issue, said Councilwoman Marsha McLean.

"We want to have a good discussion," McLean said. "The City Council decided to have staff and the city attorney take a look nationwide at what local governments are doing."

At the request of Councilman Bob Kellar, Santa Clarita officials are going to begin researching how the city can try and address illegal immigration, said Mayor Laurene Weste.

"There was a press for a study session," Weste said. "The council will have the opportunity to listen to research and give everyone an opportunity to learn what is going on out there in the world."

The research will be done before the study session is held, she said.

City spokeswoman Gail Ortiz said, "We want to make sure we reach out to everyone who is impacted: the state, the county, the school districts, to make sure we're all-encompassing."