The Monterey County Board of Supervisors announced Wednesday its commitment to protect immigrants’ rights in the county through a public education campaign focused on empowering residents.

During a press conference Wednesday, the board and 11 speakers from various organizations affirmed their commitment to all community members regardless of immigration status. The board announced a resolution and “Know Your Rights” education campaign centered around keeping the community informed of its constitutional rights and available resources.

“We have come together because we all share concerns about what lies ahead for the immigrant workers and families across our county and nation,” said Supervisor Luis Alejo.”It is essential to reassure our immigrant (population) that we will do all possible to safeguard their rights, stand with them and do all possible to provide a better life for them here in our county.”

The press conference came one day after the board unanimously voted to pass and adopt a resolution to reestablish Monterey County as a “welcoming county for immigrants and refugees, and declaring the county a place of trust and safety for immigrants.”

The board also approved $25,000 to fund the campaign through ads on local Spanish-speaking radio, television and social media. Through the effort, at least 40,000 wallet-sized red cards will be printed and distributed throughout the community.

The red “know your rights” cards are a popular form of activism, as anyone who may be targeted by ICE or other law enforcement can carry with them the small piece of paper that details their constitutional rights in Spanish and English. The county has also created a website that lists all immigration resources and educational materials for the community. These resources are available in multiple languages including English, Spanish and Mazatec.

“Yesterday was not a new resolution, it was a reaffirmation,” said Supervisor Chris Lopez. “We are carrying forward our values, our belief in one another and a belief in who we are as people in Monterey County.”

Many of the speakers Wednesday emphasized that a majority of the people being targeted by the incoming administration’s mass deportation plans were deemed essential workers in 2020.

“Monterey County agriculture is a $4.3 billion economic sector that depends on 55,000 farmworkers to harvest our crops each year, primarily immigrants,” said Norm Groot, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau. “Our fresh food supply and local economy are fully dependent on this workforce … farming depends on a stable and reliable workforce. Not one under threat.”

The resolution states that no county resources will be used to enforce immigration law, according to Alejo. The board has also been meeting with local lawyers and the county bar association to strategize what kind of legal assistance will be needed in coming months.

“At the Sheriff’s Office, our mission is clear: to keep the peace and earn your trust,” said Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto. “This mission extends to all of our community, whether they’re documented or undocumented.”

Nieto emphasized the Sheriff’s Office follows the California Values Act and Truth Act, which ensure rights and dignity of immigrants as well as promoting transparency in actions of the police.

“It is vital to remember that our role in law enforcement is not to enforce federal immigration laws,” said Nieto. “It is to protect all residents of Monterey County. We are committed to building trust with every individual of our community regardless of their immigration status.”

Schools in the county are also gearing up to protect students, with various frameworks laid out to ensure immigration officials are kept at bay.

School officials have guides telling them how to respond step-by-step to immigration officials. Schools will only comply with immigration officials if they have a judicial or court warrant. Districts are also passing out the red cards, are hosting “know your rights” workshops and have various mental health resources available for students and families, according to County Superintendent Deneen Guss.

“Every child, no matter their immigration status or their parent or guardian’s citizenship status, has the right to a free public education and to feel safe and supported in our school communities,” said Guss. “Education is a fundamental right for all children and our schools are sanctuaries of growing and learning.”

“The Salinas Valley, and Monterey County as a whole, has a long, rich history of different waves of immigrants coming here to find a better life and find the American dream,” said Alejo. “This is the time to remind ourselves of that. Of our common humanity, those shared stories of sacrifice … and how we always, always stand up for each other in these difficult times.”