Title
Consider adopting a resolution to:
a. Approve the Prohibiting the Use of County Property for Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities Policy for inclusion in the Board Policy Manual; and
b. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to:
a. Approve the Prohibiting the Use of County Property for Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities Policy for inclusion in the Board Policy Manual; and
b. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey has long benefited from the contributions of immigrants and people from diverse backgrounds who have helped shape the County’s cultural, economic, and civic life as residents, workers, students, and community leaders.
In recent months, federal immigration officials, including the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), have conducted immigration enforcement activities in various California communities. In some instances, these actions have resulted in heightened fear, disruption to local economies, and tension between local and federal authorities. Reports from several jurisdictions indicate that the presence of large numbers of armed federal agents has caused concern among residents and impacted community trust. This has raised questions for local governments regarding community trust, use of local resources, and the role of counties and cities in relation to federal civil immigration enforcement.
In response, a number of local jurisdictions, including the County of Santa Cruz, the County of Santa Clara, and the cities of Marina, Watsonville, and San Jose have adopted policies prohibiting the use of County or County owned facilities for civil immigration enforcement activities. Other jurisdictions that have adopted similar policies include the City and County of San Francisco, County of Santa Barbara, County of San Mateo, County of Alameda, County of Los Angeles, and the cities o...
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