1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand an immediate investigation and public explanation regarding the San Diego Police Department’s apparent cooperation with a recent immigration enforcement operation conducted by ICE and Homeland Security in South Park. Video footage shows SDPD officers dispersing crowds after ICE and DHS deployed flashbangs during a raid on a restaurant. Federal agents also staged at SDPD headquarters. These actions appear to violate SB 54, which prohibits local police from using personnel or resources to enforce federal immigration law, except under very limited conditions. California law enforcement agencies may not: • Assist in arrests based on civil immigration warrants. • Use officers, vehicles, or facilities to support immigration enforcement. • Transfer individuals to ICE without qualifying criminal convictions confirmed by the agency. • Participate in immigration operations under federal supervision. • Provide dedicated office space to immigration agents. None of the known facts about this operation justify SDPD’s involvement. The individuals targeted were restaurant workers, not people convicted of serious or violent felonies. There is no evidence of judicial warrants, qualifying charges, or valid exceptions under SB 54. SDPD’s actions appear to violate both the letter and spirit of state law. This was not an effort to improve public safety. It was local police enabling a federal deportation raid that disrupted a neighborhood and created fear among residents. San Diego’s police should not be in the business of immigration enforcement. I urge your office to: • Investigate and publicly report on SDPD’s cooperation with ICE and DHS. • Confirm whether legal exceptions under SB 54 were met. • Reaffirm SDPD’s duty to follow state law and protect immigrant communities. • Hold any individuals or departments accountable for violations. San Diego’s trust in its police depends on this. The law is clear. The public deserves answers.