SALINAS, Calif. — Monterey County officials sent a cease-and-desist letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security on Nov. 5, demanding that federal agents stop using county property for civil immigration enforcement following reports of agents operating near county facilities and a confrontation with protesters outside the Monterey County Jail.
The letter came amid growing tensions over immigration enforcement in Salinas, where a woman reported being pushed to the ground by federal agents during a protest outside the jail.
County Counsel Susan Blitch said federal immigration agents and vehicles had been observed at several county facilities, including Natividad Medical Center, the Monterey County Jail and the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex near Juvenile Hall.
According to the county, agents had used parking lots and driveways in ways that interfered with public access, including parking in red zones, obstructing traffic and blocking spaces used by employees and members of the public.
County officials expressed particular concern about interference with access to medical services at Natividad Medical Center.
ICE agents had reportedly been stationed near the jail’s booking and release area since Oct. 26, raising concerns about the use of county facilities to conduct civil immigration enforcement.
The county’s demand followed a policy adopted by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in September prohibiting the use of county property for civil immigration enforcement operations. The policy does not prohibit enforcement of lawful judicial warrants or criminal law enforcement activities.
The Nov. 5 letter sought to enforce that policy by directing federal immigration authorities to stop using county-owned facilities for immigration enforcement activities that violate the county’s restrictions.
Tensions escalated outside the Monterey County Jail as demonstrators gathered to protest the presence of immigration agents near the facility.
During the demonstration, Lisa Avarro said she was pushed to the ground by ICE agents.
“I’m like four feet tall; how dangerous can I be?” Avarro told KSBW 8.
Avarro questioned the agents’ response to protesters, saying demonstrators were not interfering with their operations.
“They want to come out here and tell us to move, that we’re obstructing. What are we obstructing? We’re not doing anything,” she said.
She also accused agents of attempting to intimidate demonstrators by forming a line in front of them.
Another protester, Bill Freeman, questioned the number of federal vehicles arriving near the jail and said he believed the show of force was intended to frighten community members.
“I think they’re trying to intimidate people, to be scared of them. I’m not afraid of them,” Freeman said.
According to KSBW, federal agents indicated they were at the facility to take custody of three individuals for immigration enforcement purposes.
The confrontation prompted heightened security measures at the Monterey County Jail.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced a temporary lockdown beginning at approximately 5 p.m., suspending new bookings, releases and public visitation while allowing attorneys to continue visiting clients.
The Sheriff’s Office subsequently said the restrictions did not prevent anyone scheduled for release from leaving custody and that releases proceeded under established procedures.
Sheriff Tina Nieto said the department was coordinating with county officials to protect those inside the jail and members of the surrounding community.
“We continue to work with our county leaders to ensure the safety of everyone, including our incarcerated population, jail staff, and law enforcement personnel, and community members who have gathered to express their concerns,” Nieto said.
Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, chair of the Board of Supervisors, said county officials were taking steps to address the situation and reduce tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement.
“This county is taking every action we can to respond to the situation and keep everyone in this community safe,” Askew said.
“Today I can say with confidence that the county is doing everything in our power to de-escalate the dangerous situation that immigration agents are creating in our community,” she added.
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