Santa Cruz County’s immigrant community got a measure of protection Tuesday after the Board of Supervisors approved an ad hoc subcommittee that will address potential impacts from federal immigration enforcement.
The two-member group, known as SHIELD—short for Safeguarding Health, Inclusion, Essential Services, and Local Defense—will be chaired by Board Chair Monica Martinez and include Supervisor Felipe Hernandez.
The subcommittee will work with county staff, community organizations and regional agencies to coordinate a response focused on protecting access to essential services for county residents.
County officials said the move follows recent federal policy changes and increased funding for immigration enforcement, which have raised concerns about potential impacts on local families, workers, schools and access to health care.
“South County families are already feeling fear and uncertainty,” Hernandez said in a prepared statement. “This effort is about making sure people can continue to go to work, take their kids to school, and seek health care without fear.” Martinez said the subcommittee is intended to help the county respond proactively. “As a county, we have a responsibility to be proactive, not reactive,” she said. “This allows us to bring together staff, community partners and regional allies so we can protect access to essential services.”
The SHIELD subcommittee will collaborate with community-based organizations that work directly with immigrant residents and coordinate with other counties focused on preparedness.
Martinez said she and Hernandez brought the item forward to ensure the county is prepared amid increased federal immigration enforcement activity.
“This item builds on a foundation that includes reaffirming sanctuary county policies and investing in immigrant community support,” she said.
She added that recent national events have heightened concerns about the potential impacts of aggressive enforcement actions. “What we’re seeing across the country should put us all on notice,” she said. “We don’t know if or when large-scale immigration enforcement will come to the Bay Area or Santa Cruz County, but we need to be prepared.”
The subcommittee’s role, she said, is to ensure county responses are coordinated and guided by a clear plan. That includes strengthening communication among county departments and ensuring staff understand protocols if enforcement actions occur at or near county facilities.
Several speakers addressed the board, nearly all in support of the plan.
Manny Nevarez, chair of the county’s Latino Affairs Commission, said the formation of the ad hoc committee was a positive step, but overdue.
“It is unfortunate that it took the murder of white U.S. citizens for elected bodies around the country to finally care,” Nevarez said. “We are way past the point of forming an ad hoc committee. Now is the time for action.”
Paulina Moreno, director of policy and partnership at the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, called the subcommittee “a step in the right direction.”
“At a time of increased federal immigration enforcement and growing harm to immigrant communities, it matters that this board is naming health, inclusion, essential services and local defense as priorities,” she said.
The county has previously allocated $200,000 for legal services for undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ+ community support, and set aside $500,000 for food assistance during a federal government shutdown.
The county has also distributed thousands of “Know Your Rights” cards and shared resources for residents affected by federal actions.
County officials say aggressive immigration enforcement can have broad community impacts, including worker shortages, reduced school attendance, reluctance to report crimes and delayed access to health care and social services. About 17.4% of county residents are foreign-born, with undocumented immigrants playing a significant role in agriculture, hospitality and construction.
Supervisor Manu Koenig said he “wholeheartedly” supported the item. “These recent actions are completely sickening,” Koenig said. “The murder of a mother and an ICU nurse—American citizens on American streets—underscores why we must do whatever we can to protect law-abiding Santa Cruz County residents.”
The subcommittee will return to the board in March with a status update and suggested actions.
