Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)
Santa Cruz, CA – U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta convened a roundtable with local law enforcement and community leaders from California’s 19th Congressional District to coordinate responses and prepare resources for communities against the brutality, violence, and lawlessness displayed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). At a press conference following the roundtable, Rep. Panetta emphasized the need for cooperation between all levels of government, as well as with local social services, to support and protect communities in the 19th Congressional District from potential ICE and CBP activity.
The leaders discussed the fear they are seeing in the communities they serve and the importance of a cohesive strategy in the face of growing uncertainty. They further talked about the ways in which together then can maintain the trust of our communities.
“We’re doing everything we can to prevent ICE and CBP from infringing on our civil liberties by preparing local resources and coordinating our community responses to protect people,” said Rep. Panetta. “Under this Administration and the majorities in the House and Senate, leadership must come from the ground up. We, in the 19th Congressional District, must continue to come together and partner, not just to protect our most vulnerable, but to prepare to protect everybody.”
These efforts to coordinate a cohesive local response to the threat ICE and CBP pose across the country build on Rep. Panetta’s efforts to push back on the Administration at the federal level. Last week, he voted against another funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, demanding accountability from the Administration for the deaths of American citizens in Minneapolis. He also joined Congressional veterans in demanding ICE and CBP Interior Operations Stand Down.
Rep. Panetta has called for the removal of Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller and the removal and impeachment of the DHS Secretary. If DHS Secretary Noem remains in office, Rep. Panetta supports Congressional articles of impeachment for her removal. He also supports legislation to help control ICE and CBP, including bills to limit force and require de-escalation training, hold agents accountable when they break the law, ban masks for agents, limit enforcement in sensitive areas, limit the Administration’s authority to target citizens of a specific nation, and to redirect partisan approved funding to help people afford healthcare. In addition to short term action, Rep. Panetta also believes that long term immigration reform is needed to fix the asylum system and to build pathways to legalization for law-abiding immigrants and their families who continue to contribute to our economies and communities.
To watch a video of Rep. Panetta’s remarks at the press conference, click here.
###