Watsonville High School students participate in a nationwide walkout on Jan. 20. The action is in protest against the killing of Renee Good and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s tactics. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY>> Local leaders announced they’re joining a lawsuit against a planned federal immigration enforcement facility near Gilroy.

The suit was first brought by the California Attorney General and Santa Clara County, which they jointly filed on June 10. It is alleging the project was undertaken without required local review and permitting processes. Despite the proposed location not being within county boundaries, Santa Cruz County leaders warned the impacts would be felt throughout the Central Coast region.

“Santa Cruz County communities are deeply connected to those throughout the region,” said Supervisor Monica Martinez in a Thursday press release.

A private developer leased the property to the federal government for use by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, in January 2025, possibly as an Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office, according to a June 10 press release by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. ERO’s have come under fire and have been the subject of multiple lawsuits under President Donald Trump’s administration. They’ve been criticized for overcrowding, long-term confinement and inhumane conditions, Bonta’s office stated.

“President Trump’s mass detention and deportation campaign has led to cruel, inhumane, and unacceptable conditions at immigration holding and detention facilities across California. But instead of working to improve conditions at these facilities — instead of enforcing ICE’s own detention standards — the Trump Administration is trying to jam through a new facility on a community that doesn’t want it,” Bonta stated.

Supervisors Felipe Hernandez and Martinez created the SHIELD ad hoc subcommittee in January to address local immigration concerns. SHIELD – Safeguarding Health, Inclusion, Essential Services and Local Defense – coordinates closely with county staff and community organizations serving immigrant residents to come up with possible next steps and solutions as fears rise nationwide.

In March, supervisors supported a proposal brought by the subcommittee to ban federal agents from using county property for civil immigration enforcement. County leaders said joining this lawsuit is a natural extension of the work SHIELD is already doing for immigrant communities. 

“Many residents throughout our region are experiencing uncertainty and fear regarding federal immigration enforcement activity,” Hernandez said in the press release. “We have a responsibility to understand and prepare for the impacts these actions may have on local families, schools, healthcare systems and community organizations. Our participation reflects that commitment.”

ICE notified local law enforcement of activity in Santa Cruz County 23 times between Jan. 25, 2025 and Jan. 26, 2026. Santa Cruz Local is tracking this activity to help give communities affected by immigration enforcement more information about what’s happening in their community, and help separate facts from rumors.

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