NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 6: An ICE agent monitors hundreds of asylum seekers being processed upon entering the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2023 in New York City. New York City has provided sanctuary to over 46,000 asylum seekers since 2013, when the city passed a law prohibiting city agencies from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement agencies unless there is a warrant for the person's arrest.(Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
San Diego, California – San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria on Wednesday signed a massive executive order intended to bolster protections for immigrant communities and increase transparency around federal immigration enforcement operations.
The move comes in response to growing unease following recent immigration raids in the region, most notably a widely reported May operation at Buona Forchetta, a popular restaurant in South Park. The enforcement action, conducted without prior public notice, rattled local residents and stoked fear among immigrants, many of whom already live in the shadows due to uncertainty over their legal status and fears of detention or deportation.
Mayor Gloria’s executive order outlines 16 actions aimed at supporting San Diego’s immigrant population. While reaffirming that the city cannot obstruct federal immigration enforcement, the order makes clear that San Diego Police Department officers are prohibited from engaging in such operations themselves.
“Our local police are working to protect the public, not to enforce immigration laws,” Gloria said in a video message posted on the city’s YouTube channel. “This will improve communication with the public and prevent confusion about why our officers might be there.”
The order directs the San Diego Police Department to appoint a dedicated liaison to report directly to the city on any collaboration or coordination with federal immigration agencies. It also reinforces California state laws that prohibit local agencies from sharing certain data with federal immigration officials, including information collected through license plate readers.
At its core, the mayor’s action is designed to provide clarity to both city employees and the broader public. While federal agents are not bound by local policy, the city has the authority to set its own internal procedures and ensure employees are educated on the boundaries of lawful cooperation.
The order further commits the city to distributing “Know Your Rights” materials in multiple public spaces, including libraries and community centers, to ensure residents understand their legal protections during federal enforcement actions. City vendors and contractors will also be made aware of these standards.
“While cities cannot lawfully interfere with or stop federal operations,” Gloria emphasized, “we can help ensure that everyone knows their rights and that city employees and our vendors know the same.”
The policy reflects a balancing act that many local governments face: respecting federal jurisdiction while seeking to shield vulnerable communities from the fear and confusion that often accompany immigration enforcement.
In recent years, San Diego has taken incremental steps to define its role in the context of immigration, often caught between state sanctuary laws and federal priorities. Wednesday’s executive order marks the city’s clearest stance yet under Gloria’s administration—a reaffirmation that local policing and federal immigration enforcement are not one and the same.
