County officials gather in solidarity for the immigrant community
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- After numerous incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents around counties like LA, Ventura, and San Diego, local community leaders joined in a tri-county press conference.
“People are scared to go to work,” said Verónica Díaz, local representative with Teamsters 856. “Whether they are field workers or they work in our school districts, they are scared to go to work, they're scared to drop their kids off at school.
Union leaders around the community are speaking up for immigrant workers.
“In these uncertain times, the best thing we can do is to continue to voice our concerns,” said Debora Navarez, SEIU Executive Representative. She adds it is important, “to voice what the administration needs to hear and ensure that we do it peacefully and ensure we are all united to make sure that we protect everyone.”
Sheriffs of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties assure the community they will not partake in federal operations unless called to collaborate through a warrant. Sheriff Taylor of San Benito warns that these policies divide the community.
“Do not incite fear of everyone in our community. Every plainclothes police operation is not Homeland Security and ICE coming down on our communities,” he said. “We are, right now today, my staff is doing a plainclothes operation. Let's put out good information, quick information to keep everybody safe.”
Local county supervisors are sharing a message of unity amidst the uncertain times. “What we want to make sure is that at least we unite in voices,” Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez said. “We unite our voices and collectively say that what the administration is doing is wrong.
Supervisor Luis Alejo added that the immigrant community is essential for our agriculture-based economy. “These are our neighbors, these are our family members, our friends, people that we know, we care about. And we recognize that most immigrants, locally and throughout the United States, want to make an honest living.”
