San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera wants to stop city police from teaming with federal law enforcement on task forces that could end up investigating immigration status, political affiliation or other personal protected characteristics. He’s pitching an ordinance next week aiming to do just that.
So our Mariana Martínez Barba wanted to know: How often are San Diego police participating or collaborating with the feds on task forces? San Diego police declined to say.
What we do know: A 2024 San Diego County Sheriff’s Office report documented at least 11 federal task forces that San Diego police participate in.
Why it’s an issue: Activists say task forces can be used to carry out immigration enforcement or request details on immigration status that could lead to deportations.
The other side: The San Diego Police Officers Association is concerned the ordinance could impact work on critical federal task forces and says it’s still digging in to try to understand the effect it could have.
Meanwhile at the County…
San Diego County Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer will pitch two immigration enforcement-related reforms at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
First up: Lawson-Remer is proposing an ordinance that would clarify that federal agents can’t enter non-public county facilities without a warrant or court order and that county contractors, grantees and leaseholders must offer the same protections. The proposal also calls for clear, multilingual signage at county facilities that explain residents’ rights.
Next on the agenda: Amid a rise in masked agents detaining people, Lawson-Remer wants county staff to consult with county attorneys on options to crack down and take legal action against suppliers of counterfeit gear kidnappers may use. She’s also asked the county to endorse U.S. Sen Alex Padilla’s Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement Act, which would bar face coverings and require immigration officers to display identification during enforcement operations.
“County counsel should explore litigation, cease-and-desist orders, and partnerships with state and federal regulators to curb the sale of fake ICE jackets, counterfeit patches, and other items that enable impersonation,” Lawson-Remer wrote in a letter proposing those actions. “Just as we have held corporations accountable for other predatory practices, we must act against those selling counterfeit gear that endangers the public.”
Bill Burns hangs a sign protesting the closure of the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden in the Nestor neighborhood of San Diego, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. / Zoë Meyers for Voice of San Diego
The Tijuana River Valley Community Garden has been in the limelight after an obscure government agency that’s long managed it gave gardeners 60 days to pack up and leave.
As our Jim Hinch writes in his latest South County Report, that news led Supervisor Paloma Aguirre to hold a packed town hall.
So what’s the latest? Hinch reports an Encinitas flower farmer trying to help save the garden said at least two nonprofits want to help the county manage the garden in the interim – and the county says it has no plans to boot gardeners or sell the land.
Read the South County Report here.
A Little Piece of Land Continues to Be a Headache for Convention Center Expansion
Last week, we reported that the city of San Diego secured the money needed to expand the San Diego Convention Center, but that city officials weren’t going to do it.
At least not yet, officials said. They blamed rising costs and a 2018 lawsuit settlement.
Our City Hall reporter took a closer look at the settlement with Fifth Avenue Landing LLC, the company that leases land near the Convention Center. The settlement prohibits the city from doing anything until Dec. 31, 2026.
That includes design ideas, requests for proposals, or negotiations of any contracts. It’s further indication that any expansion of the Convention Center is many years away even though it’s now officially funded and voter approved.
Cheers!
If you haven’t already tried our limited edition Voice of San Diego 20th anniversary beer, it’s not too late. You can try it every Wednesday at 3 Punk Ales in Chula Vista or Little Italy.
In Other News
Following a legal challenge by the California attorney general, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells said this week that his city won’t stop sharing license plate reader data with out-of-state law enforcement unless a court orders them to stop. (KPBS)
Local homeless service providers are bracing for potential seismic shifts in federal housing funding could force formerly homeless residents back on the street. (inewsource)
The city of San Diego is trying a new tactic to address infrastructure projects faster: allowing city contractors to help design projects versus wait on the city. (Union-Tribune)
A state-backed initiative to clear a Lemon Grove homeless camp that was officially shut down this week helped 28 of the 32 residents move into permanent homes. (CBS 8)
Imperial Beach officially has a new city councilmember. (Union-Tribune) Our Jim Hinch previously wrote about new Republican Councilmember Mariko Nakawatase and the Imperial Beach City Council’s recent rightward shift.
There’s a new top leader at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. PSA: The San Diego County Water Authority is one of the org’s 26 membership agencies. (Smart Water Magazine)
The Morning Report was written by Lisa Halverstadt and Mariana Martínez Barba. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña and Scott Lewis.