Humboldt’s sanctuary status and public sentiment
Humboldt County and its status as a sanctuary county
On the morning of Tuesday Feb. 4, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting was called to order. With newly-elected Donald J. Trump in office and mass deportations occurring nation-wide, local members of the community wanted affirmation of Humboldt County’s sanctuary status also known as Measure K.
During the meeting, County Sheriff William Honsal explained the limited communication between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Humboldt County is in accordance with Measure K,” Honsal said. “We don’t assist immigration authorities.”
Honsal also mentioned that federal jurisdiction such as ICE does not have to let local jurisdiction, such as the County Sheriff, know if or when they come into the county for enforcement.
Additionally, city police as well as federally and state funded public schools do not have to abide by Measure K.
After the Sheriff’s public hearing, the floor was open to public comment, where Centro del Pueblo, The Raging Grannies and several other community members made public comments.
Finally, a motion was carried between the district supervisors affirming Measure K and Humboldt’s sanctuary status. The motion passed unanimously.
In a later Eureka City Council meeting, council members discussed the possibility of Eureka becoming a sanctuary city in the future.
Public sentiment on ICE and immigrant communities in Humboldt
Retired school teacher David Sanders gave public comment at the meeting. Having worked primarily on the Hoopa and Yurok reservations, Sanders expressed his concern regarding Native individuals who could potentially get targeted by federal law enforcement.
“I think a lot of people on the reservation are afraid, you know, because if law enforcement is sweeping people up…they might not discriminate who they’re picking up,” Sanders said in an interview after the meeting.
Others, such as community member Jim Hatchimonji, voiced his respect and affinity for immigrants.
“To me immigrants are the bravest and most courageous people that humans create because it’s scary to have to move and take your family and look for jobs in a whole new place,” Hatchimonji said. “These new Americans, they deserve to come in and do a good job too.”
Mary Ann Hytken, who leads English Express, a program that teaches free citizenship and English classes here in Humboldt, took to the podium with Centro del Pueblo to show her support for the local immigrant community.
“The people that I work with through my program bring so much to our community, their values, their family values, their work ethic, their deep faith, their rich culture. They contribute so much to Humboldt County and we’re so much better for that,” said Hytken in an interview.
“So let’s do what we can, even if it’s simply saying hello to someone and smiling and being the first one to say hello, you know in line at the grocery store, or whether we can do more by volunteering for some of these organizations like Centro Del Pueblo,” Hytken said. “Every little thing we do makes a difference.”
Additional Reporting done by Gina Muñoz
