County’s SHIELD Program Prepares for ICE Raids

CEO of Santa Cruz County, Nicole Coburn describes SHIELD as an emergency preparedness project, but the emergency is not natural, it’s in the form of a raid by ICE similar to what we saw in Minneapolis. As the DHS expands the scope of its operations, injury, and even death have resulted. What are the protocols in place for County agencies, such as the Sheriff, Health Department, or other employees? How can the County protect its migrant population in the event of a mass deportation roundup? While there are no easy answers, the SHIELD committee, headed by Supervisors Felipe Hernandez and Monica Morales, seeks to be prepared.