San Diego supervisors keep local limits on federal immigration enforcement, despite dissent
January 29, 2026 | San Diego County, California
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The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance intended to limit certain federal immigration‑enforcement actions at county facilities and improve transparency, voting the measure as part of the consent agenda on Jan. 28.
Supporters of the Civil Liberties Enforcement and Accountability Rules, often called the CLEAR ordinance, said it will require federal agents to present a judicial warrant before entering non‑public areas and require signage and reporting so residents and contractors understand their rights. Karina Pew of the San Diego LGBT Community Center told the board the ordinance was needed to “regain some of the trust lost from your constituents” and to protect people she said now live in fear of federal enforcement.
The nut of the ordinance, as described to the board, is to limit county participation in immigration‑related joint task forces, restrict federal access to nonpublic county areas without a judicial warrant, and require county contractors to protect personal information. Eddie Meyer of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial County said the ordinance would “help people feel safe accessing public services” by imposing local safeguards.
Opponents said the changes risk undermining public safety and cited concerns about enforcement and unintended consequences. During the consent agenda vote the clerk recorded Supervisor Desmond’s vote in opposition to item 9; all other supervisors present voted aye.
The board took the ordinance up on the consent agenda after dozens of callers and in‑person speakers urged both passage and restraint, with testimony that ranged from criticized federal enforcement tactics to fears about community safety and traffic impacts tied to retail marijuana. The board did not amend the item at the meeting; it moved forward as described in the staff materials.
The clerk noted that the consent package — including the CLEAR ordinance — passed with the vote recorded on the consent motion. The board proceeded to other agenda business, and the ordinance will be implemented under the terms and reporting requirements set out in the staff report.
The board will publish final text and any implementing procedures in the coming days as required by county rules.
Supporters of the Civil Liberties Enforcement and Accountability Rules, often called the CLEAR ordinance, said it will require federal agents to present a judicial warrant before entering non‑public areas and require signage and reporting so residents and contractors understand their rights. Karina Pew of the San Diego LGBT Community Center told the board the ordinance was needed to “regain some of the trust lost from your constituents” and to protect people she said now live in fear of federal enforcement.
The nut of the ordinance, as described to the board, is to limit county participation in immigration‑related joint task forces, restrict federal access to nonpublic county areas without a judicial warrant, and require county contractors to protect personal information. Eddie Meyer of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial County said the ordinance would “help people feel safe accessing public services” by imposing local safeguards.
Opponents said the changes risk undermining public safety and cited concerns about enforcement and unintended consequences. During the consent agenda vote the clerk recorded Supervisor Desmond’s vote in opposition to item 9; all other supervisors present voted aye.
The board took the ordinance up on the consent agenda after dozens of callers and in‑person speakers urged both passage and restraint, with testimony that ranged from criticized federal enforcement tactics to fears about community safety and traffic impacts tied to retail marijuana. The board did not amend the item at the meeting; it moved forward as described in the staff materials.
The clerk noted that the consent package — including the CLEAR ordinance — passed with the vote recorded on the consent motion. The board proceeded to other agenda business, and the ordinance will be implemented under the terms and reporting requirements set out in the staff report.
The board will publish final text and any implementing procedures in the coming days as required by county rules.
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