San Diego County’s Super Sanctuary Status: Balancing Local Policies and Federal Immigration Laws

San Diego County has declared itself a “super sanctuary,” sparking a heated debate over immigration policies and local law enforcement’s role in federal matters.

At a Glance

San Diego County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities
Sheriff Kelly Martinez opposes the resolution, stating she will continue to follow state law
The policy aims to go beyond the 2017 California Values Act, restricting state and local cooperation on immigration matters
Critics argue the policy endangers community safety, while supporters claim it fosters trust and public safety
The resolution allocates $5 million for legal assistance to illegal aliens facing deportation

San Diego County’s Bold Move: Becoming a “Super Sanctuary”

In a controversial decision, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has voted 3-1 to adopt a resolution that further limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This move effectively labels the county as a “super sanctuary,” pushing beyond existing state laws that already restrict such cooperation. The resolution prevents county agencies from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on civil immigration matters, though it does not extend to criminal investigations.

Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas, who spearheaded the proposal, defended the decision, stating, “We will not allow our local resources to be used for actions that separate families, harm community trust or divert critical local resources away from addressing our most pressing challenges. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and our county will not be a tool for policies that hurt our residents.”

Sanctuary policies are reckless and dangerous, putting innocent lives at risk. Every American family deserves safety. No community should suffer the heartbreak of losing a loved one due to politically driven policies that protect criminals instead of holding them accountable. https://t.co/qFahEA1nm5

— Supervisor Jim Desmond (@jim_desmond) December 6, 2024

Sheriff’s Opposition and State Law Compliance

Despite the board’s decision, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez has publicly opposed the resolution. She maintains that the Sheriff’s Office will continue to follow state law, which already limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Sheriff Martinez stated firmly, “The Sheriff’s Office will not change its practices based on the board resolution and policy that was passed at today’s meeting. The Board of Supervisors does not set policy for the Sheriff’s Office.”

“The Sheriff, as an independently elected official, sets the policy for the Sheriff’s Office. California law prohibits the Board of Supervisors from interfering with the independent, constitutionally and statutorily designated investigative functions of the Sheriff and is clear that the Sheriff has the sole and exclusive authority to operate the county jails.” the agency said in a statement.

Reminder, this super sanctuary policy will be voted on in San Diego County tomorrow, where Republican County Supervisor @jim_desmond tells FOX he believes his three Democrat colleagues on the Board will pass it by a vote of 3-2. It would go further than CA’s sanctuary state law. https://t.co/P8Tvsw63rh

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) December 9, 2024

Controversy and Criticism

The resolution has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Supervisor Jim Desmond, who cast the lone dissenting vote, warned, “This is going to really impede different agencies and working together to make sure that everyone’s safe, even the immigrants that are here now that have come across the border. This is going to hurt their communities even worse.”

“A sanctuary designation is not going to make you completely safe. It will prevent our Sheriff, for example, from directly handing someone to ICE. But if ICE wants to go and find that person on their own, they still can.” Tsurumoto Grassi said.

The policy is seen as part of a broader effort to “Trump-proof” the state against potential federal immigration enforcement under a new administration. This has led to concerns about potential legal repercussions, with some warning that interference with federal immigration enforcement could lead to charges of rebellion and insurrection.

Implications and Future Steps

As part of the resolution, San Diego County is allocating $5 million to provide legal assistance to illegal aliens facing deportation. The board has also directed the county’s chief administrative officer to present implementation recommendations within 180 days.

While supporters argue that limiting local law enforcement’s interaction with ICE results in lower crime rates and stronger economies, critics maintain that such policies endanger public safety. The resolution claims that cooperation with federal immigration authorities harms community trust and public safety by deterring undocumented individuals from seeking help.

As San Diego County moves forward with its “super sanctuary” status, the debate over local versus federal authority in immigration matters continues to intensify. The outcome of this policy could have far-reaching implications for other jurisdictions grappling with similar issues across the nation.