Mendocino County’s immigrant communities targeted

MENDOCINO CO., 2/10/25 – Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has signed 10 executive orders on immigration that aim to increase border security – in part through mass deportations and arrests.

That has brought fear and anxiety to immigrant communities across the country, and Mendocino County is no exception.

There are an estimated 10.6 million immigrants in California, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, and around 2 million are undocumented. A large portion of California’s agriculture workers are undocumented immigrants, estimated at around 50 percent, and while there is no official number for undocumented residents in Mendocino County, the area has a huge sector of agriculture and farm work, often the most accessible employment for these communities.

Among Trump’s orders was an announcement that the federal government would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enact raids in areas generally considered “sanctuaries,” such as churches, schools and healthcare facilities.

Is Mendocino a “sanctuary” county? 

Although Mendocino County has not been designated an official sanctuary county, it falls under the jurisdiction of California’s sanctuary law, which has made the state a haven for millions of undocumented immigrants. California enacted its sanctuary law in 2017, when Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act, prohibiting law enforcement and public institutions, such as schools, medical facilities and courthouses, from sharing information or coordinating with ICE on deportations. The law also states that local law enforcement cannot detain someone for more than two days past their release date just to allow ICE time to deport them.

But the law does not regulate what federal officials can do within a state because federal law overrides state law under the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. This means U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can still deport undocumented immigrants, even if state law prohibits local officers from cooperating with federal agents. 

Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall said in an interview that it’s not local law enforcement’s job to assist in deportations conducted by federal agents.

“SB 54 from 2018 was legislated and later codified into law the fact that immigration enforcement is a federal mandate which has nothing to do with state peace officers,” Kendall stated. “We have nothing to do with it unless a federal officer arrives at our jail to book someone on a warrant which is signed by a federal magistrate.”

President Trump’s stance on sanctuaries 

President Trump’s executive order targeting sanctuary jurisdictions is called “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” If the order is not overturned by Congress or halted by federal courts, it will allow the president to deny federal funds to sanctuary regions throughout the country, including in California. President Trump attempted to enact this law during his first term, but California sued, and the courts sided with the state.

Despite the president’s ongoing attempts to enforce legal action against undocumented people, the Immigration Legal Resource Center states there is a list of rights for all immigrants in the country; even those here illegally are entitled to certain kinds of legal protection. 

Immigrant rights organizations say it’s important for immigrants to know their rights when approached by law enforcement.

“Everyone in the U.S. has the 5th Amendment right to stay silent,” said Cara Jobson, an immigration attorney in Berkeley. Jobson noted that immigrants should keep their visa documents on them just in case. “If a person has a green card or work permit based on a pending application, that could resolve the situation faster.” 

Jobson also emphasized that if ICE or CPB officers come to the door, those inside have the right not to open it. Law enforcement must have a warrant signed by a judge to be able to enter a residence.

Here is a list of suggestions from immigration attorneys and organizations if ICE shows up at the door:

• It’s a person’s right to remain silent. It is not required to answer questions about legal status or citizenship.

• The National Immigration Law Center suggests that immigrants print or keep a photo of a “Know Your Rights” card, also called a red card or tarjeta roja in Spanish. This card provides a script of rights if a person is stopped by an immigration officer. 

• If an ICE agent wants to enter a person’s home, they must have a warrant signed by a judge, with the person’s correct name and address on it. If the warrant is not signed by a judge, the federal agent does not have to be let inside the home and the person inside can call one of the California rapid response hotlines to report the ICE activity.

• Families should make an emergency plan in case one member is detained. Memorize contact information of close family or friends and organize a sitter for children. Make sure to keep crucial documents like birth certificates and passports in a safe place that can be accessed by trusted sources. Here is a family preparedness plan created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

• It is advised not to carry fake documents.

• The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California is interested in tracking ICE activity in Northern California and has a new app, called Mobile Justice, that can be used to report these sightings.

A number of Mendocino County organizations can help with finding legal rights workshops and other resources. Some of these include:

• The Raise & Shine Family Resource and Empowerment Center, based in Ukiah, helps immigrants with paperwork.

• Nuestra Allianza de Willits, a social services organization based in Willits, mainly supports immigrant families with COVID-19 testing, food distribution and ESL classes, but also helps those needing support of immigration assistance and referrals.

• The Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa holds monthly workshops in Ukiah for immigration resources. The next event is on March 5.

• UVA Vecinos En Acción, a Latino outreach organization based in Ukiah, supports Latino communities, whether immigrants or not, find jobs, housing and healthcare resources in the Mendocino County area.

• Mendocino College, located in Ukiah, has a “Dream Center” for undocumented people who want to attend college. The Dream Center can assist with paperwork needed to qualify for classes.

• California Human Development, a nonprofit organization based in Santa Rosa, can provide immigration resources and assist in completing visa paperwork.

• LatCo, a Facebook group partially organized by Loreto Rojas, a professor at Mendocino College and an advocate for the local Latino community, has organized workshops and other resources for Latin Americans who live in the region. The page often posts about immigrant resources and occasionally announces Latin dance events for those who are interested. Rojas also hosts a public affairs show on KZYX, called MendoLatino, which broadcasts every 2^nd and 4^th Monday and is solely in Spanish.

CORRECTION NOTICE: The date of the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa’s monthly workshop was identified as March 7. The workshop is on March 5. We regret the error.