In defense of immigrants What Central Coast leaders have to say about immigration reform and a stop to massive ICE detentions

YOUNG VOICES MEDIA PROJECT |

By Precious Rios

In light of increased community fears about possible immigration enforcement actions in the Central Coast, civic leaders and elected officials recently spoke outside the Monterey County Government Center. A phalanx of representatives from Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties voiced support for local immigrant communities, and decried increased actions that are instilling fear and anxiety among residents.

The gathering included 23 individuals ranging from county supervisors, mayors, council members, and representatives from the agricultural and hospitality industry, the largest in Monterey County and the most dependent on immigrant labor. Also present were education leaders, health care officials, community-based organizations and labor leaders. 

These are some of their remarks.  

Monterey County Supervisor Chris López: “We have a choice right now in how we move forward as a country… Right now we’re seeing governance happening through fear and governance happening through tactics that none of us would employ in our communities. What we’re asking now is that our federal partners do the work, specifically to pass comprehensive immigration reform today. That is the only path out of this cycle that we’ve been stuck in where we point, where we blame, where we accuse.”

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernández: “What happened in Southern California was unnecessary, inflammatory and expensive, costing over $134 million. While many, including the Latino communities, support deporting violent felons, ICE and federal officials have gone far beyond that. This administration is pushing mass deportation that targets hard-working immigrant families. Even legal residents are being swept up in the raids… This president is ignoring the constitution, the rights of the states, and the governor… As a veteran myself, I find the use of the military against US citizens appalling.”

Watsonville Mayor Maria Orozco: “Watsonville se ha forjado en la resiliencia y el esfuerzo de personas inmigrantes. Hoy en día, los inmigrantes estamos en todos los sectores: en el campo, en las clínicas, en los salones de clase, en los negocios, en el servicio público… También nos preocupan las respuestas cada vez más agresivas a las protestas pacíficas. Expresarse y exigir justicia es un derecho constitucional… La ciudad de Watsonville está comprometida a hacer su parte del trabajo que es necesario.”

Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby: “Too many of our students are skipping classes, and hospitality and construction workers are staying home united in one fear: the fear that ICE will come knocking on their door and arrest one of their loved ones… Due process, fair hearings, and a day in court is not a privilege, it’s a constitutional right… If we let fear erode these rights for some, we jeopardize them for all; as Fannie Lou Hamer said, ‘No one’s free until everybody’s free.’ Our rights are tied together.”

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark: “The fabric of our counties is interwoven with the hard work of many. From the hospitality industry, to agriculture, to tech; these industries provide power to our economies… and many hard-working people in our communities are in fear. The men and women of the Santa Cruz (Sheriff’s) Office are focused on enhancing the peace… If you call us for help, we will be there to help you without questioning immigration status or nationality. Our mission is not immigration enforcement, but to enhance public safety for us and all of our children.”

San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor: “I knew coming here that merely speaking out on this topic was going to upset some people, because you can’t make everyone happy… My comments are not reflective of my personal opinions, they’re of a sheriff who’s elected to serve all people of all people in his community, not just a certain few. Please know that in San Benito County we adhere to Senate Bill 54… we enforce the laws on the books, but we do not enforce any federal laws as your local sheriffs… You can spare me any rhetoric that merely crossing the southern border of the United States is some heinous crime.”

NOTE: California Senate Bill 54, also known as California Values Act, was approved in 2017 and “prevents state and local law enforcement agencies from using their resources on behalf of federal immigration enforcement agencies. The law allows for cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement in cases of violent illegal immigrants, and is often referred to as a ’sanctuary law’ due to its resemblance of sanctuary jurisdiction policies,” according to Wikipedia.

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto: “Let me assure you all 58 sheriffs follow the law… We’re held to the constitution, we take the same oath that most of you standing here take. I myself and many people here come from immigrant families that came to California to do better, and I think we have. From the fields to the classrooms, from small businesses to public service, immigrants are part of the story of Monterey County… We are peace officers, community protectors, and public servants.”

Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Deneen Guss: “The presence of immigration and customs enforcement officers near campuses sends shockwaves of anxiety and families and distracts from what should be every child’s right, and that is to learn, to grow, and to thrive in peace… We teach our students about their free speech rights… To every student and every family I want to say this: Your schools are with you. We are doing everything in our power to protect your rights and your education. We want to remind all of our parents that they can find a multitude of resources both on our website and the county’s website.”

Santa Cruz County School Board of Education President Abel Sánchez: “Sabemos que los estudiantes no pueden aprender cuando viven con miedo, y lo que vemos a nuestro alrededor es una campaña de injusticia y intimidación que es real. Las familias están dejando de asistir a las graduaciones… y evitando servicios esenciales como atención médica, y distribución de alimentos. Un colaborador la semana pasada nos avisó que vieron la asistencia bajar de 75%, es decir que tres de cada cuatro familias eligieron el hambre por encima del riesgo de separación.” 

Monterey County Hospitality Association – Ken Dunkersloot: “We stand with our elected officials, our community organizations and our leaders in support of our 27,000 dedicated hard working hospitality workers… I’d like to tell you a story of a hardworking cook and a mother in one of our restaurants. This mother works two jobs… at Coaster Roots we support philanthropy, and in one of our charity events, this mother was so proud to introduce me to her daughter who she brought to volunteer. In her words, ‘I want my daughter to understand the importance of giving back,’ That’s our immigrant community, and that’s what we need to support (them).” 

SEIU Local 521 – Debbie Narvaez: “Soy representante ejecutiva de nuestro sindicato SEIU local 521. Cuando usted disfrute de su lechuga, su alcachofa, sus fresas, coliflor y más, o va a un restaurante, o va a un hotel en sus vacaciones… Estas manos son las que lo hacen con orgullo. Los inmigrantes no están aquí para robar recursos. Los billonarios están manteniendo el acaparamiento de esos recursos para todos. Inmigrantes son la columna, y como todos los miembros de los sindicatos de la bahía, estamos aquí en solidaridad para proteger nuestra economía y nuestras familias.”

Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 – Casey Van Den Heuvel: “Our immigration system is broken, it’s outdated, it’s slow, and confusing by design. Hard workers are being left without rights… While they wait for fairness that may never come, many find work in the construction industry. Building our homes, our schools, our communities, but without protection. As a union representative, I see the ugly side everyday. I see immigrants being taken advantage of, I see wage theft, I see workers being told to stay quiet with fear of losing their job.”

Natividad Hospital CEO Dr. Chad Harris: “The County of Monterey Health System reaffirms its commitment to providing equitable, compassionate care to all individuals regardless of immigration status… We urge the public to continue to access the array of services offered… We do provide telehealth visits — please let us know if that is easier for you… Patient privacy and trust are essential to the care we provide. Our policies are designed to make every patient feel safe and welcomed. Patient private medical information is protected.”

NOTE: Telehealth is an online service that allows patients to meet with a physician via video call from their homes. 

Catholic Charities Executive Director Angela Di Novella: “Our mission is grounded in the belief that every person is worthy of dignity, love, and compassion… Last year the combined gross production value of agriculture, hospitality, and service in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties combined was about $9 billion… Instigating fear and inhumane treatment of our neighbors who are the heart of our communities tears the fabric of our shared humanity. This is not justice… Please contact Catholic charities if you need support. We’re here with you.”

Watsonville Law Center Executive Director Adriana Melgoza. “Seamos claros: las redadas son espectáculos políticos, no operaciones de seguridad pública. Se realizan de manera que violan el debido proceso, cortan el acceso de representación legal y niegan incluso los derechos humanos más básicos. El miedo bajo el que nuestras familias están viviendo es intenso y absolutamente  injusto. Nuestros vecinos inmigrantes no son forasteros, son el corazón de esta región… Llamemos a esto por su nombre, es un ataque directo al debido proceso en  nuestras comunidades y al mismo concepto de justicia. Lo que hemos presenciado en las recientes redadas de ICE…  no se trata de hacer cumplir la ley ni de seguridad, se trata de sembrar miedo. Se trata de enviar el mensaje de que nuestras familias inmigrantes  no merecen sentirse seguras en sus propios hogares, lugares de trabajo o escuelas.” 

Monterey County Farm Bureau Director Norm Groot: “We represent … the 55,000 farm workers that are needed here every year to harvest our crops… We have failed in our immigration policies in this country. Not only recently, but for decades. The Farm Bureau has supported efforts for (comprehensive) immigration reform for over 20 years, and now Rep. Zoe Lofgren has again introduced the Farm Worker Modernization Act… The legislation passed in the House of Representatives in 2021, but never got a vote in the Senate. We need to change that.”

NOTE: The proposed Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025 aims to create a more reliable and legal workforce for agriculture production by reforming the existing H-2A guest worker program and establishing a pathway for agricultural workers to earn legal status through continued employment in the sector. More information can be found on U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s website.

The press conference was live streamed and can be found on Monterey County’s official YouTube channel.

Have something to say about this story? Send us a letter.

SUPPORT NONPROFIT JOURNALISM

GET OUR FREE NEWSLETTER