Rep. Panetta Convenes Local Leaders to Discuss Impacts of the Administration’s Mass Deportation Policy

Aptos, CA - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) convened education, housing, health care, food assistance, and law enforcement professionals from Santa Cruz and Monterey counties for a roundtable discussion at Cabrillo College on the local impacts of the Administration's mass deportation policies. Participants discussed how federal enforcement actions are affecting access to and use of essential services, trust in law enforcement, and the daily lives of families throughout the Monterey Bay region.

The discussion also focused on the more than $200 billion increase in federal funding for immigration enforcement, the need for commonsense guardrails and accountability, and the Administration's continued attacks on constitutional rights and lawful immigration programs. Rep. Panetta addressed his opposition to unchecked funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and his support for demands to reform federal immigration enforcement and commonsensical immigration reform. He also highlighted his efforts to protect Dreamers, oppose the potential ICE facility near Gilroy, and safeguard birthright citizenship.

"Our discussion made clear that this Administration's mass deportation policies are affecting our communities, from schools, health care, and housing to public safety and the rule of law," said Rep. Panetta. "I support a strong and secure border, but that does not require mass deportations, unchecked funding for immigration enforcement, unaccountable federal agents, or unconstitutional attacks on Americans. Congress must impose guardrails, oversight, and accountability while pursuing commonsense reforms to improve our asylum system, protect Dreamers, and provide earned legalization for hardworking immigrants. I will continue working in Congress and with our local partners to protect those who contribute so much to our communities."

"Cabrillo College stands firmly with all of our students and we will continue to prioritize safety, support and access to education. We want every family in Santa Cruz County to know that Cabrillo campuses in Aptos and Watsonville remain safe and welcoming where student privacy is protected," said Jenn Capps, Ph.D., President/Superintendent, Cabrillo College.

"Every child, regardless of immigration status, has a fundamental right to a free public education in an environment where they feel safe, protected, and supported. Our schools are sanctuaries of learning and stability, and immigration enforcement concerns should never compromise a student's ability to attend class, grow, and thrive. We are proud to stand with Representative Panetta to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to keeping our campuses safe, protecting our students, and ensuring our schools remain places of hope and opportunity for every family," said Deneen Guss, Ed.D., Monterey County Superintendent of Schools, Monterey County Office of Education.

"Every student deserves to come to school feeling safe, welcomed, and supported. Our schools remain committed to creating environments where every child can learn without fear or distraction. We will continue to provide our students, families, and staff with accurate information and timely resources regarding immigration enforcement activities in and around our school communities, while ensuring that our focus remains on the safety, well-being, and success of every student," said Dr. Ernesto Vela, Assistant Superintendent, Monterey County Office of Education.

"Public safety depends on trust. Whether someone is experiencing domestic violence, a child is missing, or a family is facing a crisis, no one should be afraid to call for help because of their immigration status. Our undocumented residents are part of our communities, and when they call for help, we are here to help them. Our public safety professionals are here to protect everyone we serve. I appreciate Congressman Panetta bringing us together to strengthen that trust," said Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto.

"HUD's proposal to require every resident in federally assisted housing to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status would be devastating for families and could have profound consequences for housing stability in our communities. Mixed-status families are families, and when we put one member of a household at risk of losing access to housing assistance because of their immigration status, we put the stability of the entire family at risk, including U.S. citizen children. At a time when housing is already out of reach for far too many families, we should not be creating additional barriers that could push people into displacement and homelessness. Housing is the foundation of family and community stability, and our policies should reflect that," said Elaine Johnson, Executive Director, Housing Santa Cruz County.

"At Santa Cruz Community Health, we care for everyone who walks through our doors, regardless of language spoken, personal identity, or ability to pay," said Anita Aguirre, CEO, Santa Cruz Community Health.

Last year, Rep. Panetta opposed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which provided more than $75 billion to ICE and $65 billion to CBP. In June, the Secure America Act provided nearly $70 billion more for ICE, CBP, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration enforcement operations through Fiscal Year 2029. Rep. Panetta voted against the Secure America Act and has voted at least seven separate times this Congress against providing ICE and CBP with additional funding without meaningful guardrails, oversight, or accountability.

Rep. Panetta has supported Democratic demands to require federal immigration agents to wear body cameras and clearly display identification, prohibit non-tactical masks that conceal their identities, strengthen warrant requirements, establish enforceable standards for the use of force and de-escalation, and ensure independent investigations of serious incidents, among other reforms. He is supporting the No Secret Police Act and the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would restrict immigration enforcement at schools, hospitals, houses of worship, courthouses, and other sensitive locations.

In July, DHS briefly paused most vehicle stops by ICE deportation officers after agents fatally shot two men during separate operations in Houston, Texas, and Biddeford, Maine, while searching for other individuals. The White House overturned that pause the following day before the agency completed its review and additional training. Rep. Panetta joined nearly 200 House lawmakers in calling for independent investigations into both deaths, protection for witnesses, and the immediate deployment of body cameras to ICE and CBP agents. The three men traveling with Lorenzo Salgado Araujo when he was shot and killed in Houston each filed for U Visa protection. Rep. Panetta's Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act would strengthen the U Visa program for immigrant survivors and witnesses of serious crimes who cooperate with law enforcement. The legislation would lift the cap on U Visas, protect eligible applicants from detention and deportation while their cases are pending, and allow them to work during the application process.

Earlier this year, Rep. Panetta joined Bay Area lawmakers in a letter to DHS and ICE opposing the proposed immigration detention and processing facility near Gilroy and demanding information about the project. Following the lawmakers' calls, construction at the site was temporarily paused while legal challenges proceed. Rep. Panetta also joined a letter to DHS and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services demanding an explanation for the spike in delays affecting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications and urging the agencies to accelerate processing. The delays have caused Dreamers to lose employment authorization, miss work, and face disruptions to their income and daily lives despite filing timely renewal requests.

In February, after the Department of Housing and Urban Development attempted to override the intent of Congress by taking federal housing benefits away from mixed-status homes, Rep. Panetta joined his colleagues from the Congressional Asian, Black, and Hispanic Caucuses to assert Congressional intent and oppose this misguided rule. Congress has made it clear that federal housing benefits should be prorated for any eligible residents in a unit, and forcing people to choose between their eligible benefits and their loved ones would only cause further turmoil in California's 19th District.

Photos from the media availability are available here.

To watch Rep. Panetta's full remarks, click here.

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