(Image Credit: IMAGN) Kara Wahlin of Palm Desert holds a sign saying 'Abolish Ice!' while protesting President Trump's immigration policies in downtown Cathedral City, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.
San Diego, California – A measure to repeal San Diego County’s “super sanctuary” policy, which restricts cooperation with federal immigration authorities, failed to pass the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The policy, adopted in December, prevents the county from using its resources to assist federal immigration agents with deportations. Supervisor Jim Desmond, who opposed the original measure, brought it back for reconsideration, arguing that it would allow the county to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about dangerous criminals in local jails.
“This is not about law-abiding migrants, this is about violent criminals, rapists, child abusers, burglars,” Desmond said. “If we have got people who are criminals in our jails, we should be able to let ICE know… all it is is a phone call, letting them know they are here and when they are potentially going to be let out.”
However, the repeal effort fell short, receiving only two votes in favor, with one vote against and one abstention. Supervisors Desmond and Joel Anderson voted to repeal, while Monica Montgomery-Steppe voted against it, and Terra Lawson-Remer abstained. The District 1 seat, formerly held by Nora Vargas, remains vacant.
“I really don’t think it’s in our best interest to continue to invest in even higher levels for our local law enforcement to do the federal government’s job,” Montgomery-Steppe said.
Lawson-Remer, in a statement after the vote, emphasized that the county’s focus remains on public safety and deporting dangerous felons, not “farmworkers or families.” She stated that the county will cooperate with federal authorities when legally required but will not “undermine trust in local government by targeting our neighbors indiscriminately.”
The abstention from Lawson-Remer effectively killed the measure. Had she voted no, the item would have been tied, requiring another vote.
“I’m very disappointed because we want to keep our streets and our neighborhoods safe,” Desmond said. He indicated he does not plan to bring the issue before the board again.
Public comment during the meeting largely opposed repealing the policy. Ansermio Estrada, who spoke against the repeal, called it a “silly distraction meant to inflame tensions.”
