In today's newscast:
Monterey County halts ICE activities
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved a moratorium on building ICE detention facilities at Tuesday's board meeting. The 45-day pause will affect unincorporated parts of Monterey County.
Supervisors will have the option to extend the moratorium once the 45 days are up.
At the same meeting, supervisors unanimously passed a separate policy prohibiting the use of county property for immigration enforcement activities.
Monterey County joins a growing number of California counties — including Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Alameda — in adopting similar measures.
Gov. Newsom approves bill to pause new ICE detention centers
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Tuesday that prohibits cities and counties from approving new private detention centers. The bill was introduced in response to concerns over conditions at ICE facilities.
State Senate Bill 1367 was introduced by Democratic Sen. Sabrina Cervantes in April.
The bill prohibits cities and counties from using existing land or buildings for new private detention centers.
ICE currently operates eight private facilities in the state and purchased dozens of warehouses nationwide for its expansion of detention space.
In a press release, Cervantes said her bill will prevent private prison companies from abusing California’s land use laws for “human rights violations.”
Newsom said in a statement that the bill could unintentionally target private facilities that offer alternatives to juvenile halls and probation camps.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s office was the only agency to oppose the bill. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1.
That reporting from our news partner, KVCR.
