Another city that wants to thwart federal law!
Never been to this area but believe it is heavily ag business.
Ahhhh, California...
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May 9, 2007


Watsonville declares itself sanctuary for illegals
By Donna Jones
Sentinel Staff Writer
WATSONVILLE — Watsonville proclaimed itself a sanctuary for undocumented workers Tuesday.

The symbolic action came as part of a City Council resolution opposing immigration raids and directing police not to cooperate with federal immigration officials.

But the resolution did not go far enough for some who packed the council chamber to urge city leaders to direct police to notify residents when federal immigration officers come to town.

"I don't think it's such a big thing we're asking to add one clause for the people of Watsonville to be notified," Ramiro Medrano said in a fiery appeal that drew loud applause and chants of "Justicia" from the crowd. "Families are being torn apart. Children are being left without parents. Aren't police supposed to be protecting the people of Watsonville?"

A notification clause would put the police in a difficult position.

Police Chief Terry Medina has taken the position for years that it's not in the best interest of police to enforce federal immigration law because it could prevent otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants from reporting crime in their neighborhoods.

But Medina said he's also bound by ethical and safety considerations from releasing confidential information provided by other law enforcement agencies. Police need to know, for example, when other agencies are operating in their jurisdictions to avoid dangerous confrontations.

It's also impractical, Medina said, because if federal officials thought he was going to out them, they'd stop calling first.

But speakers said community members were being harmed by the raids, which have created fear and anxiety. Raids in September that resulted in the arrest of 107 illegal immigrants in Santa Cruz, Watsonville and Hollister demonstrated the need advance warning to the undocumented, they said.

But some said the resolution needed to be passed with or without the notification clause.

"If passed tonight, it will be a signal to our community to go and live a normal life," said Jorge Zavala, a member of Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action.

Mayor Manuel Bersamin introduced the resolution on behalf of himself and Councilmen Oscar Rios and Antonio Rivas. In the end, the resolution, which updates a similar measure supported unanimously by a previous council in 1996, passed 4-3.

The resolution, part of a nationwide effort to put pressure on federal leaders to reform immigration, is similar to one passed in Santa Cruz and other California cities.

Bersamin said he called several cities and the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund and found none had passed a notification clause.

"Instead of looking at other cities to see if they added the notification clause, it's time for Watsonville to lead the way and let other cities follow," Pajaro resident Stephanie Keenan said in reply.

But Bersamin also worried about dividing the community at a time when it is critical for it to come together "to defend the hard work of the immigrants"

"This resolution does not appease one group over another," Bersamin said. "It protects the unity and harmony of the people of the city"

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