Editor’s Note: an interviewee has chosen to be anonymous for safety and privacy reasons.

“Es una comunidad grande inmigrante de Watsonville, esa es su historia,” dijo un participante anónima de la junta de Watsonville City Council. “Es una parte muy importante de la historia, y por eso creo que es una desgracia no apoyar y cobijar a la comunidad inmigrante.” 

“There is a large immigrant community in Watsonville, that’s its history,” said an attendee of the Watsonville City Council meeting who wished to remain anonymous. “It is a very important part of the history, and that is why I think it is a disgrace not to support and shelter the immigrant community.” 

As the vision of an anti-immigration presidential administration takes shape, the city of Watsonville, located in a county with about 16,000 undocumented immigrants, is preparing to protect immigrants and undocumented workers with the end of asylum and threats of mass deportations looming. 

Watsonville Police Chief Jorge Zamora and Kate Hinnenkamp, a representative from Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, presented a proposal at the Watsonville City Council meeting on Jan. 14, reaffirming the city’s commitment to “maintain trust and safety for local immigrants”.

The council unanimously approved the motion. 


Pam, a Watsonville community member and teacher who chose to only provide her first name, addressed the council during public comment and emphasized the importance of safety for undocumented communities.  

“I think this kind of resolution is really important, but it’s also so important for the whole community to show up and be ready to protect immigrants, trans, all of our kids — not just show up, but show up to be together, to organize,” said Pam in an interview with City on a Hill Press following the meeting.

“Creo que es importante, más que otros tiempos, ser visible a esta comunidad,” dijo un participante anónima. 

“I think it’s more important, more than other times, to be visible to this community,” the anonymous participant said. 

On his first day in office, President Trump signed numerous executive orders related to immigration, declaring a national emergency at the United States-Mexico border and issuing a directive to the United States military to assist in immigration enforcement. These orders came on the same day the Senate passed a bipartisan bill that makes it easier to deport undocumented immigrants for minor crimes such as minor theft and larceny.

During President Trump’s first term in 2017, the city passed an ordinance that reaffirmed its status as a sanctuary city and set out procedures that limit city workers, including police, from using city resources or obtaining information related to immigration status.  

“The city’s immigrant community is integral to the social and economic fabric of our region,” Zamora said.

Further in the presentation, Zamora commented on the anxieties of the community that he observed. 

“One thing I want to say is that the fear is real. There’s people not going out to buy groceries, they’re staying in their homes, they’re isolated,” Zamora said. “And the current ICE enforcement throughout the state and throughout the country just amplifies that fear.”

During the presentation, they showed photos of informational pamphlets that would be handed out by local Watsonville police officers. In both English and Spanish, the cards state that the officer is not an immigrant enforcement officer and ensures that the officer will not report an individual’s information to immigration authorities. They also showcased “red cards” for undocumented individuals that list their rights if an immigration agent approaches them. 

A slide from Chief Zamora’s presentation depicting the informational pamphlets. In addition to affirming that the officer is not an immigrant enforcement officer, the pamphlet also contains references to immigrant resources in the Bay Area.

A slide depicting a red card. Frequently distributed at Know Your Rights workshops, red cards outline recommended actions to take when approached by immigration agents and allow undocumented folks to safely assert their legal rights.

After Zamora’s presentation, four attendees spoke during the public input session. Only one was against the motion. The others expressed their support for the resolution and also suggested additions, like protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigrants.

Outside the City Council Chambers, Pam reflected on the police and their role in maintaining immigrant safety in Watsonville.

“It’s good having the chief make those comments,” Pam said. “But we need to know that message is going to every individual within the department and hold them accountable.”

Translations by Raul Hernandez-Castro and Gwenyth Rodriguez-Holguin