@ksbw_8: Protesters gathered outside the Monterey County Jail in Salinas on Tuesday following reports of federal immigration agents near the facility. Later Tuesday, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office placed the jail on lockdown. The sheriff's office said it was suspending new bookings and inmate releases and closing the facility to public visitation, except for attorneys visiting clients. The office said the temporary measures were being taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure everyone’s safety. KSBW captured video of a person who identified themself as an ICE operative saying agents were conducting a targeted operation involving people at the jail. A small crowd gathered outside the facility, with protesters calling for the agents to leave. Some shouted profanities. A KSBW 8 reporter at the scene said county officials told the agents to leave, but they refused. In September, Monterey County supervisors adopted a policy prohibiting county property from being used as a staging area, processing location or operations base for civil immigration enforcement. The policy includes exceptions for activities such as the lawful execution of a judicial warrant and criminal enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office said Monday it had not been notified of the reported activity and could not verify the identity of those involved or the operation’s purpose. Federal agencies are not required to notify the Sheriff’s Office when conducting independent operations, the office said. “The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to complying with California law, including the California Values Act (SB 54) and the TRUTH Act, which establish requirements and limitations regarding local law enforcement interactions with federal immigration authorities,” the office wrote.

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Wednesday 28 October 2026 00:55:26 GMT