Supervisors approve new immigration policy

The controversial policy prevents active cooperation with ICE; Sheriff Kelly Martinez says there is no 'loophole' and the department will follow all state laws

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a new policy Tuesday preventing local law enforcement from actively cooperating with ICE for civil immigration cases. Steve Puterski photo

COUNTY — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a controversial immigration policy prohibiting the county from providing assistance to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in civil immigration enforcement.

The board voted 3-1, with Supervisor Jim Desmond voting no and Supervisor Joel Anderson absent (illness), after more than three hours of discussion and public comment during Tuesday’s meeting. Supporters were thrilled the item passed citing the importance on International Human Rights Day.

The issue, though, hit national headlines in recent days as immigration is one of the burning concerns nationwide. The policy prevents the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department from active cooperation with ICE or other federal agencies. The policy also prevents law enforcement from notifying ICE of release dates of immigrants and allowing federal law enforcement to use county facilities for investigative interviews or other purposes.

More than 155,000 immigrants were released to the streets in San Diego County over the past 12-15 months, while more than 250,000 have crossed the California border, according to Border Patrol.

San Diego County joins eight other counties in the state to offer the so-called sanctuary status to undocumented or illegal immigrants. Chairwoman Nora Vargas and Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer stressed the action by the board is only for civil matters and the county will provide assistance with ICE or other federal agencies for criminal cases.

Also, the board’s action requires county assistance only when a federal or state warrant has been issued. Many speakers, along with Lawson-Remer, said the board’s action will increase safety and security among U.S. citizens and illegal or undocumented immigrants.

San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez said the department can share information and coordinate with ICE and federal agencies under state law and challenged the notion of any “loopholes” under current laws. She said the department will not change its current practices.