Santa Cruz County celebrates its long and rich history of immigrants who have shaped the local economy and emerged as leaders in agriculture, tourism, the military, education, business, healthcare, and other vital professions. Fostering a welcoming community is essential for a vibrant and inclusive Santa Cruz County that ensures immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers can access economic security, empowerment, civic engagement, safety, and protection from discrimination, oppression, and violence.

We are proud of our collaboration to help deliver basic services of public safety, education, health care and more. On May 18, 2018, Santa Cruz County joined 25 other jurisdictions representing 18 million Californians in defending Senate Bill 54 and attempting to stop the federal government from undermining public safety and civic participation.

What you need to know:

• The County does not report immigrants to ICE.
• In the unlikely event ICE agents present themselves at County offices to inquire about clients, County staff have been instructed to contact supervisors immediately. ICE agents are not permitted to enter non-public areas of County buildings without a judicial warrant.
• Our Health Center providers and Human Services Department staff are dedicated to respecting and are required to comply with an individual’s right to privacy and confidentiality. We do not share any information about any individual’s immigration status or records with federal immigration authorities.
• You have the right to apply for and secure housing without sharing your immigration status. California law prohibits housing providers from asking about your immigration status unless you are applying for federally funded affordable housing. Additionally, our Housing for Health case management staff are prohibited from sharing personally identifying information when assisting people with housing and will not share the documented status of an individual with law enforcement agents.
• You have the right to apply for and access full scope Medi-Cal health benefits as eligible, as part of California’s Medi-Cal expansion to immigrants of all ages regardless of documented status, including In Home Support Services (IHSS) to those eligible. County staff are prohibited from sharing personally identifying information when helping people enroll in Medi-Cal or IHSS and will not share the documented status of an individual with law enforcement agents.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark stands firmly in support of our family members, friends, and neighbors, no matter their immigration status. The Sheriff’s Office encourages victims of crime to come forward regardless of immigration status.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office does not honor immigration holds when sent to local custody facilities and will remain vigilant and ensure transparency should any immigration enforcement action be conducted within our community without our support.

Santa Cruz is a Sanctuary County for transgender, gender queer, non-binary, gender fluid, and intersex people.

By declaring the County a sanctuary for these communities, we seek to ensure access to gender-affirming health care, safeguard individuals from out-of-state legal actions related to gender-affirming health care, and reinforce the county's commitment to equality and human rights.

Services Provided

Our County's Health Centers offer gender-affirming care, and our Health and Human Services Agencies partner with providers like the Santa Cruz County Diversity Center to support LGBTQ+ youth and adults with Behavioral Health needs and to prevent exploitation.

HSA Health Centers support the reproductive health rights of our diverse community by offering comprehensive services, including reproductive health education for teens and adults, STI/HIV testing and treatment, family planning counseling, and access to contraception for individuals of all genders.