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On Wednesday, word started getting out that ICE is headed to the Bay Area for immigration enforcement actions. While there has been some coverage in the media about planned actions in San Francisco being called off, it's not clear whether federal agents may be deployed in other parts of the Bay Area.
Over the past weeks we have watched unsettling scenes play out in Chicago and Portland: neighborhoods looking like militarized zones, entire communities put into a state of panic, residents afraid to go to work, to take their children to school, even to go outside. For many of us, the thought of this happening in the Bay Area is sickening. But for some members of our community, it’s terrorizing. Children and families in Sonoma County and the greater Bay Area should not live in a state of government-induced terror. Period.
Personally, I believe that the role of government is to support the public safety, physical infrastructure, and safety net infrastructure for the communities we serve. While I cannot control what the federal government does or does not do, my goal both as Chair of the Board of Supervisors and your Fifth District representative is to keep communities informed and safe; and ensure that residents have the resources they need to get through whatever crisis life — or even national politics — throws our way.
I don’t have a lot of information at this point in time, but in any crisis, it’s important to share everything we know and what we are doing to respond. Since first hearing about the mass ICE deployment to the Bay Area, I’ve been in conversations with Sheriff Engram, CEO Christina Rivera, our Emergency Management Director Jeff Duvall, and our Human Services Director Angela Struckmann.
Here’s what I know:
• As of this writing, Sheriff Engram has not been notified by the Department of Homeland Security of enforcement actions targeting Sonoma County.
• Our County CEO Christina Rivera is coordinating across County departments to ensure that we are prepared to provide support to our immigrant community. She is also speaking with other County CEOs — including a CEO with direct experience with large scale immigration enforcement actions — to bring lessons learned to Sonoma County.
• Our Department of Emergency Management has been looking at different models for how to respond to a hypothetical mass immigration enforcement action, and is ready to organize partners to provide support. This is a scenario Director Duvall has been considering for the last year and while we do not have a formal plan adopted, I feel better knowing Jeff has been thinking about this; he and his team are always ready to spring into action if needed.
• Support and safety for youth impacted by immigration enforcement actions, including unaccompanied minors, is top of mind for our Human Services Department, and HSD Director Angela Struckmann is coordinating closely with our Family, Youth & Children’s Services Division. In the event of an enforcement action that separates children from their parents, and the parents are unable to make a plan for their children’s care, Human Services will respond to ensure immediate child safety and provide case management for children with the goal of reuniting them with family members or providing care as necessary based on each child’s individual circumstances.
I also know that we cannot rely on government alone. In fact, those of us who are working in government need to look to and work with the leaders and non-profits who are active in our immigrant communities. Starting with North Bay Rapid Response 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 707-800-4544. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered, donated, or contributed in some way to these community led efforts.
And remember: now is not the moment to panic. Instead, let’s organize, come together in community, share resources, and take care of one another. Can you provide mutual aid to a friend or neighbor (maybe they need groceries, or help with school pickups/dropoffs)? Can you contribute to a local immigrant-serving non-profit? Think about what you can do to strengthen the bonds of our common community. Let’s share power, not panic.
Over here on the County side, I will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with County and community leaders to prepare and respond as necessary.
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