Panetta: Serious Criminals Should Be Deported

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors' resolution last week urging county officials, including the sheriff, not to cooperate with federal immigration authorities to deport even hardened criminals is at odds with the opinion of Congressman Jimmy Panetta, who believes those who commit serious crimes shouldn't be allowed to stay in the country.

On Feb. 14, the supervisors voted 4-1 to pass the non-binding resolution, which designated Monterey County as a "welcoming county for immigrants and refugees." The resolution, however, made no exceptions for illegal immigrants who have committed major crimes, including felonies such as murder and rape.

While Panetta, a former deputy district attorney in Monterey and Alameda counties, agrees with the supervisors' recommendation as it applies to illegal immigrants who are otherwise law abiding, the U.S. Representative elected in November was frank about those who commit serious crimes.

"Undocumented immigrants convicted of serious or violent felonies should be deported," Panetta, a Democrat representing the 20th Congressional District, told The Pine Cone.

Panetta also backed Monterey County Sheriff Steve Bernal, who last week criticized a portion of the resolution that urged his office not to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which he said would make the county a "welcoming community for criminals."

"The sheriff has jurisdiction to enforce laws in our community," Panetta said. "Our law enforcement officials protect and serve the people of our community, regardless of their immigration status."

However, whether illegal immigrants should face possible deportation for multiple misdemeanors or serious misdemeanors — a category of crimes which includes spousal battery and drunken driving — Panetta said it depends on the case.

"When it comes to misdemeanors, you have to look at the big picture," he said. "And that means taking into account whether a person can contribute to our society."

The supervisors, including 5th District Supervisor Mary Adams, who represents the Monterey Peninsula, voted 4-1 to approve the resolution.

At a Feb. 12 immigration town hall meeting in Salinas hosted by Panetta and San Jose Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren — a Democrat who has been critical of President Donald Trump's stance on deporting illegal immigrants — Lofgren also said that undocumented immigrants convicted of serious and violent felonies should be subject to the country's deportation laws, according to Panetta.

Monterey County 2nd District Supervisor John Phillips, a retired prosecutor and judge, told the supervisors last week that it's not possible to ignore immigration consequences for illegal immigrants charged with crimes, something Panetta also noted this week.

Immigration consequences are included "in the written and verbal admonitions from a judge when they are going over a plea for defendants," Panetta said.

Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo also said he largely agrees with the resolution — including the provision that county departments, "continue to support immigrant crime victims and witnesses, and encourages them to come forward to report crime by providing certification of their cooperation." But Flippo said it's also his duty to follow the law.

"In all our cases, we take in to account the seriousness of the crimes, the impact on victims, the past record of the defendant and the impact on the community," Flippo added. "We do our best to see that all these factors and any other relevant factors are considered."