MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County is demanding that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stop using county-owned property for immigration enforcement operations, citing vehicles and personnel gathering at several county facilities in Salinas and disrupting access to public services.
In a Nov. 5 letter to ICE’s San Francisco Field Office, County Counsel Susan Blitch said federal agents and vehicles had been observed using county parking lots and driveways in connection with immigration enforcement activities, violating parking restrictions and operating vehicles in ways that posed safety concerns.
The letter specifically identified activity at Natividad Medical Center, the county jail, Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and Juvenile Hall, all in Salinas. The county said ICE vehicles had been seen at those locations during the previous two weeks.
“The interruption of services to the public seeking medical care is especially troubling,” Blitch wrote.
The county’s letter follows increased reports of federal immigration enforcement activity in Monterey County and comes as local officials have reiterated their commitment to immigrant families and residents.
According to the letter, the county recently adopted a resolution and policy prohibiting county property from being used for civil immigration enforcement activities.
Specifically, the policy states, “[n]o County-owned or County-controlled property shall be used as a Staging Area, Processing Location, or Operations Base for civil immigration enforcement purposes.”
Blitch said ICE vehicles and agents had been observed congregating in county driveways and parking lots for staging operations, which the county considers unauthorized and contrary to its policy.
The letter also cited violations of California Vehicle Code and Monterey County parking regulations, including vehicles parked in red zones, blocking traffic and pedestrian access, and obstructing employee parking at Natividad.
According to the county, ICE vehicles also blocked access to the medical center’s employee parking area, and their operations forced the county jail to temporarily shut down the previous week.
The county demanded that ICE immediately stop using county property for unauthorized staging, processing or operating bases; follow posted parking restrictions and traffic laws; operate vehicles safely; and refrain from activities that interfere with, intimidate or impede people seeking county services, particularly medical care.
“The County reserves all rights and remedies available to it under law and will take appropriate action to protect County property, County employees, members of the public, and access to County services if this conduct continues,” Blitch wrote.
Support for immigrants
The letter also comes less than a month after the county issued an Oct. 13 statement reaffirming its support for immigrant communities amid increased federal enforcement activity.
The county said it was sharing public service announcement videos in English and Spanish to acknowledge the fear, uncertainty and hardship immigration enforcement can create for individuals, families and communities.
The effort is supported by the Board of Supervisors’ Ad Hoc Committee on Immigration-related Issues, chaired by Supervisor Luis Alejo.
“Immigrant families are an integral part of our communities, our workforce, and the fabric of the County of Monterey. No family should have to navigate fear and uncertainty without access to reliable information,” Alejo said in the October statement.
Supervisor Chris Lopez also stressed the importance of treating residents with dignity and respect.
“Every person in our community deserves to be treated with dignity, humanity, and respect,” Lopez said. “We recognize the concerns that federal immigration enforcement activities can create for families, and we encourage our community leaders and neighbors to support one another, share accurate information and ensure that the voices of those affected are heard peacefully and compassionately.”
Separately, Alejo announced Nov. 6 that he will provide $10,000 from his office’s discretionary funds to the Monterey County Solidarity Network to support its rapid response work amid ongoing ICE activity in the region.
The funding will support trained volunteers who monitor ICE activity, verify reports and share timely information with residents, as well as correct false or misleading reports circulating online.
“Families should be able to go to work, take their children to school and go about their daily lives without fear,” Alejo said. “When reports of ICE activity start circulating, immigrant families need to know what’s happening and who they can turn to for reliable information.”
The County of Monterey maintains a Know Your Rights webpage with information in English and Spanish, as well as videos in Indigenous languages, to help residents understand their rights and find resources. Residents can access the information at countyofmonterey.gov/know-your-rights.
