Officials from the County of Monterey are set to discuss formally resisting the proposed construction of a federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility just outside of Gilroy.
On Tuesday May 19, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to discuss whether to join Santa Clara County in expressing opposition to the proposed project.
“We’re looking at our own land use policy so [the federal government] doesn’t try to do something similar here,” says County Supervisor Luis Alejo, who requested the board take up the discussion.
According to a May 13 story reported by San Jose Spotlight, public records show that the U.S. General Services Administration has been seeking to lease a property for a detention center in south Santa Clara County since 2020. Last year, the federal government awarded the lease of the land at 7240 Holsclaw Road, just over a mile from Costco and Walmart stores, on the East side of Gilroy to Elmwood Capitol Group, a real estate firm based in Beverly Hills, in an almost $27 million contract.
Local officials in Santa Clara quickly took action after the news report to express opposition.
“We should focus our energy on real issues like this proposed ICE immigration center because this [center] would be used against our families throughout the region,” Alejo says. “Santa Cruz County is likely to join and also San Benito County, as this has a ripple effect all over."
“It has an economic effect, as well,” he adds, noting the region’s immigrant workforce in Monterey County’s two largest industries, agriculture and hospitality.
The Board of Supervisors meets on Tuesday, May 19 beginning at 10:30am.
(1) comment
I have had my many disagreements with Alejo's decisions and comments but I am very proud that he immediately started focusing his energy to protect immigrant families. Thank you Alejo.
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