Watsonville Community Hospital CEO Stephen Gray says the hospital is reaffirming its commitment to serving everyone, regardless of immigration status, amid new immigration and other regulations initiated by the Trump administration. The hospital is already taking steps, he says – some of which he enumerates here – to limit interruptions to care and is educating staff on how to handle visits from immigration officials.
The Trump presidency and Santa Cruz County
News and opinion coverage of reaction in Santa Cruz County to the election of Donald Trump to a second term as president, plus news from around California via Lookout’s content partners.
Posted inEducation
About 200 undocumented UCSC students and supporters march against Trump immigration policies
UC Santa Cruz undocumented students and their supporters spoke out against President Donald Trump’s attacks on the immigrant community in a march and rallies on Tuesday. They also announced a list of demands, such as providing immediate access to emergency funds and establishing a permanent physical space on campus for undocumented students, directed to UCSC officials.
Posted inLatest News
1,000 turn out in Santa Cruz to protest Trump, Musk and what is being done in Washington
An estimated 1,000 people took to the street in front of the Santa Cruz County courthouse Monday to express their anger at President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and all the chaos in Washington. Protests took place all around the country on Presidents Day.
Posted inEducation
How Trump’s drastic K-12 plans will — and won’t — change California schools
Despite Donald Trump’s plans, federal funding is a small part of California’s education budget – and the state oversees curriculum.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz reaffirms its status as a sanctuary city
The Santa Cruz City Council voted this week to reaffirm its sanctuary city policy, a largely symbolic show of support to the local immigrant community, as reports swirl of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents conducting deportation operations within city borders.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Local lawyers speak to immigrant fears, the rights they have — and what they should do right now
Santa Cruz County immigration lawyers and public defenders have their hands full with cases and frequent changes to immigration enforcement as the Trump administration continues to target undocumented immigrant communities across the country. They say that, despite the concerning situation, undocumented people have rights and ways to be prepared for anything.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Abogados de Santa Cruz abordan los temores de los inmigrantes, sus derechos y qué hacer ahora
Los abogados de inmigración y defensores públicos locales están muy ocupados con casos y cambios frecuentes en la aplicación de la ley de inmigración mientras la administración Trump continúa apuntando a las comunidades de inmigrantes indocumentados en todo el país. Dicen que, a pesar de la preocupante situación, los indocumentados tienen derechos y medios para estar preparados para cualquier cosa.
Posted inEducation
Fewer California high school seniors are applying for financial aid. Some blame Trump’s immigration policies
Applications for financial aid by high school seniors in California are down 25% compared to this time last year. Although financial aid application information has not been shared with immigration or other agencies in the past, many fear that will change.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
No warning, no goodbye: ICE quietly deports Santa Cruz resident after 22 years
In what appears to be the first known case of a deportation in Santa Cruz County since Donald Trump returned as president, ICE agents last month arrested Adolfo Gonzalez of Santa Cruz, a handyman who had lived locally for 22 years.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Primer inmigrante indocumentado deportado en el condado de Santa Cruz
Un inmigrante indocumentado en Santa Cruz reflexiona sobre su inminente deportación tras ser arrestado por conducir ebrio. Aunque reconoce que California es un estado santuario, admite que sus acciones tienen consecuencias. “Si no hubiera cometido el error de conducir ebrio, habría podido seguir viviendo mi vida”, lamenta.