San Diego County Board of Supervisors Fails To Repeal ‘Reckless Super Sanctuary Policy’

In a 2-1 vote with one abstention on Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors failed to repeal its “super sanctuary” policy that blocks San Diego County agencies from assisting ICE.

The policy dates back to December 2024, when then-Supervisor Nora Vargas brought forth the motion for county agencies to not assist ICE unless they have an arrest warrant signed by a state or federal judicial official. Submitted as a way to help “Trump-proof” San Diego County and protect migrant families, the measure passed 3-1. However, since then, the measure has been frequently challenged. Vargas herself left office in January despite winning reelection, citing “safety and security reasons”.

Supervisor Jim Desmond, seeing the board shift, then brought forth a new measure to repeal the policy limiting cooperation with ICE. The measure would also have the County Commissioner report back within 180 days on the data related to any transfers or notifications during the past year to federal immigration authorities and provide recommendations on where to go from there. Desmond said that the law “had nothing to do with deportations” and was about not impeding the County sheriff from their duties in dealing with crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

“This is for the people in jail that have been tried, convicted, and sentenced and we let ICE know they’re here,” said Desmond before the Tuesday vote. “This is not about mass deportations or sweeps or anything like that. This is only for the people in jails in San Diego County.”

However, strong opposition from the migrant community and remaining Supervisors who supported the December policy bogged the chances of the motion passing down, resulting in a 2-1 with one abstention vote on Tuesday. With a seat still empty, the motion needed three out of the four supervisors to vote yes. In the end, only Supervisors Desmond and Joel Anderson voted yes, while Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe voted no and Terra Lawson-Remer abstained.

“The outcome was deeply disappointing,” Desmond said on Tuesday. “This was not about politics. This was about ensuring that criminals – child abusers, burglars and violent offenders – are removed from our communities. Instead, fear and misinformation won the day, leaving law-abiding residents at greater risk.”

Steppe, meanwhile, noted that she voted no because it is the federal government who ultimately enforces immigration, not the County.

“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,” said Steppe.

Immigration groups praise the decision, saying that the repeal would make it harder for ICE to conduct deportations.

“What Trump is doing goes against our human rights,” said Jose, an immigrant advocate in San Diego, to the Globe on Tuesday. “If ICE wants help here, they’ll need warrants and to focus on only getting criminals, not families.”

Despite the outcome, Desmond remained hopeful that the policy could still be reversed later this year. Vargas’ seat is currently up for a special election, and her replacement could prove to be in favor of the repeal.

“This is a a reckless measure that actively shields illegal immigrant criminals from deportation, even after committing horrific crimes,” concluded Desmond.