Several San Diego City Councilmembers Thursday announced plans to consider a resolution next week opposing what they described as “unnecessarily aggressive and excessive tactics” by federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security.
Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert, chair of the Public Safety Committee, was joined by Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera and Vivian Moreno in bringing forward the resolution, which would allow City Attorney Heather Ferbert to take legal action on behalf of San Diego to support Minnesota and Illinois lawsuits against the Trump Administration via DHS, United States Immigration Customs and Enforcement, and United States Customs and Border Protection.
“ICE’s actions in Minneapolis and across the country undermine our shared American values of life, liberty, and due process. Conducting operations that terrorize communities based on how someone looks or sounds is both inhumane and unlawful,” von Wilpert said. “When monetary incentives, arrest or deportation quotas, and systemic disregard for constitutional protections are part of the system, it becomes clear this isn’t about legitimate law enforcement or public safety.
“True public safety requires equal protection, due process, and accountability under the law. Anything less undermines the very constitutional principles federal agencies are sworn to uphold and erodes trust in government institutions.”
In the last several weeks, DHS, ICE and Border Patrol agents have conducted numerous operations in Minneapolis. Several of these have led to federal agents shooting and killing American citizens, including Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Keith Porter, Jr. was killed by an off-duty ICE agent in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. At least 32 people died in ICE custody last year.