Monterey County declares protection for immigrants, refugees

UPDATE 2/14/2017 5:45 PM:

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution declaring the county a place of trust and safety for local immigrants on Tuesday.

“It’s about making sure we’re not inquiring about immigration status,” said District 1 Supervisor Luis Alejo. “It’s about protecting immigrant confidentiality but it’s also declaring not using country resources to force immigration law. Immigration is a matter of federal jurisdiction. Our local police and sheriff’s departments and agencies are not required to enforce immigration laws so, I think it is an important message to take.”

Alejo also recognized the county’s legal system for its commitment to advising undocumented immigrants about the consequences during a plea negotiation. The District Attorney’s Office has been following that practice for the last five years.

Supporters of the resolution dominated public comment. Some shared stories of family members who were deported, others talked about being deported themselves. But a few had strong words against it.

“We need more immigrants in this country like we need a case of cancer,” one man told supervisors.

Part of the resolution urges no county resources be used to enforce federal immigration law. However, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been present inside the Monterey County Jail since 2015. Sheriff Steve Bernal says the ICE officer gets minimal resources, only a desk. The ICE officer is equipped with their own computer and Wi-Fi.

“The only people that are being released to ICE right now are the criminals that I can’t, in good conscious, release back into the community,” Bernal told supervisors.

A source of concern for some, while Bernal said he has no other option.

“If I don’t continue working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, my only alternative is to release these inmates back into the community and I have no control over Immigrations and Customs Enforcement going out into the community to pick the inmates that are wanted,” Bernal said.

He said of the 14,256 bookings last year, 391 felons or those convicted of serious or multiple misdemeanors were later turned over to ICE.

Bernal said his office follows the TRUTH Act and gives inmates and their attorneys consent forms, explaining ICE wants to talk to them.

In the meantime, his deputies will continue to not ask about anyone’s immigration status and will not participate in any immigration enforcement raids.

ORIGINAL POST:

Monterey County is declaring itself a “welcoming county to immigrants and refugees,” after passing a resolution Tuesday during the Board of Supervisors meeting.

The resolution passed 4 to 1, calling for a “place of trust and safety for local immigrants,” according to Supervisor Luis Alejo.

“During these challenging times, it is critical for Monterey County to send a message to our immigrant families that we stand with them. Maintaining trust between immigrant families and local law enforcement is necessary for public safety. This is a time to show leadership as well as compassion for those wanting to work hard and provide a better life for their families,” Alejo said.

However, not everyone agrees with the designation. KION’s Mariana Hicks will have more on this story at 5.