County Decision on Training Contracts
San Diego County supervisors have voted to terminate contracts that allowed federal immigration authorities to train at local facilities. The 3-2 vote on Tuesday ended agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The facilities, located near the Mexican border, have been used for training by these agencies for years.
Community Concerns and Official Statements
Monica Montgomery Steppe, one of the supervisors supporting the decision, explained that federal immigration agents have negatively impacted the community. “We just don’t want to be complicit,” she stated. Kelly Martinez, the county’s sheriff, noted that ICE would no longer have access to these facilities, citing months of conversations and community concerns about ICE’s actions nationally.
Ongoing Use by CBP
Despite the vote, Martinez defended CBP’s operations, allowing them to continue using a county facility. She emphasized the significance of CBP’s role in combating border crime and facilitating trade. “Ending CBP’s use of the facility would harm people on both sides of the border,” she pointed out.
Community and National Reactions
The decision followed calls from residents, who viewed ending the contracts as a means to halt assistance to the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. Areas like Escondido and regions in New York and Minnesota have also debated similar issues, though some have chosen to maintain contracts. Jim Desmond, a county supervisor opposing the change, argued for improved training to address perceived overreach by ICE.
Impact on Training and Border Operations
Rodney Scott, head of CBP, expressed concerns over local staffing if the agency must send officers elsewhere for mandatory firearms training. “It’s unprecedented for local partners to undermine border security,” he commented in response to the board’s decision.
Historical Context and Agreements
CBP began using the county’s training center in 2017, with ICE following in 2021. A recent letter from supervisors shared that federal agents accumulated over 3,300 training hours at the center by 2024. ICE also held an agreement since 2022 for a Navy-owned range leased by the county at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Maintaining Community Trust
County officials emphasized the importance of distinguishing local police from federal agents to maintain trust with immigrant communities. Terra Lawson-Remer, the board’s chair, advocated for ending the contracts, emphasizing the region as a home rather than a target. “If the administration wants to pursue its law and deportation agenda, it should rely on federal resources,” she stated.