Quick Take
Leaders from Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties gathered in Salinas on Wednesday to reaffirm their commitment to support immigrant communities as the Trump administration continues conducting immigration raids across California and the United States.
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Government, education and law enforcement leaders from Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties came together Wednesday afternoon to reaffirm their commitment to supporting immigrant communities as the Trump administration continues to conduct immigration raids across the United States.
Santa Cruz County Supervisors Felipe Hernandez, Justin Cummings, Monica Martinez and Kim De Serpa were among the elected officials who gathered in front of the Monterey County Government Center in Salinas to stand in support of immigrant communities and denounce the Trump administration’s decision to deploy the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests against immigration raids.
“What happened in Southern California was unnecessary, inflammatory and expensive, costing over $ 134 million,” said Hernandez.
He added that the Trump administration is pushing for mass deportations targeting hard-working families, and that even legal residents are being targeted by federal immigration officials: “This is unlike anything we’ve seen. This president is ignoring the constitution, the rights of the states and the governor.”
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and the Watsonville City Council each unanimously passed separate resolutions last week condemning the use of military personnel against immigrant communities and protesters.
Watsonville has also joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration over threats to withhold federal resources from sanctuary cities. The City of Santa Cruz joined the lawsuit in February.
“I’m the daughter of immigrants, and like many families in Watsonville, I know the struggles, the hope and the work that our communities have endured for many generations,” Watsonville Mayor Maria Orozco told the crowd in Spanish.
Immigrants are found in every career sector – in the fields, clinics, classrooms, businesses and public service – said Orozco. The immigrant community in Watsonville is a fundamental part of the city’s identity, she added.
Orozco told Lookout that it’s important that the immigrant community knows that Watsonville stands with them and is fighting for their constitutional rights. The city has partnered with nonprofit organizations to ensure that the community has access to legal services and resources its members need.
Deportation worries have hit Watsonville’s businesses and flea markets as many community members opt to stay at home as a precautionary measure amid ongoing immigration raids in the state. Last month, nonprofit organization Your Allied Rapid Response for Santa Cruz County confirmed an immigration arrest in Watsonville that was not tied to a large-scale raid, according to spokesperson and organizer Dave Wilson.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark told Lookout on Wednesday that his department has not received any notification that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have been operating within the county’s unincorporated areas. He also added the department would not participate in any sort of immigration enforcement operation, were one to occur in the county.
“Our mission is not immigration enforcement, but to enhance public safety for us and all of our children,” Clark said. “When you dial 911, everyone will get the same compassionate service that is our mission.”
Due to an increase in deportation fears among immigrant communities, the Watsonville Law Center announced it will begin to partner with local organizations to bring “Know Your Rights” workshops to work sites and private spaces, rather than holding the sessions in a public setting.
“What we are seeing is that a lot of non-legal community partners are trying to figure out how to continue to support their community, and how to make sure that the community doesn’t stop from receiving services that they’re providing,” said Adriana Melgoza, the center’s director.
The goal is to teach nonprofits that already work with immigrant communities how to give their own “Know Your Rights” workshops, so residents don’t miss out on accessing resources, such as going to a health clinic or a food bank, due to deportation fears.
Leaders from Monterey and San Benito counties echoed Hernandez and Orozco’s messages, further emphasizing the importance of immigrants in their respective communities and calling for better pathways to citizenship for many of their constituents.
“We are resilient. We will survive this administration, and we must keep pushing for permanent pathways to citizenship,” Hernandez said. “Today, I’m grateful that our communities are here, standing up together, and I have hope that our united voices can help turn this tide of tyranny.”
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