An attempt to repeal an existing San Diego County policy limiting local assistance for federal immigration enforcement failed on Tuesday, with two Board of Supervisors members voting yes, one voting no, and one abstaining.
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond had attempted to get the board to repeal an existing policy he claims makes the county a “super sanctuary” for people living in the country without documentation by limiting local assistance for federal immigration enforcement.
The board passed the policy 3-1 on Dec. 10, 2024, with Desmond voting against. Former Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas, who proposed the policy, has since stepped down from her position.
Now split 2-2 between Republicans and Democrats while a special election is underway to replace Vargas, Desmond had hoped that the math might work in his favor.
“This is deeply disappointing,” said Desmond in a statement following the vote.
“This was not about politics. This was about ensuring that criminals — rapists, child abusers, burglars, and violent offenders — are removed from our communities. Instead, fear and misinformation won the day, leaving law-abiding residents at greater risk.”
He vowed to continue to fight to repeal the policy.
Desmond and Joel Anderson voted yes, while Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe voted no and Terra Lawson-Remer abstained. Three votes were needed for the repeal to take effect.
Anderson referenced apparent gamesmanship on Lawson-Remer’s part in her abstention regarding the immigration proposal, which rather than failing on a 2-2 tie, failed 2-1.
“I believe that’s why you abstained on the last vote, so that Desmond’s item couldn’t come back, which was very clever,” he said.
According to the Board of Supervisor’s procedural rules, if a motion fails because of a tie vote, they may continue the item for consideration at a future meeting.
Lawson-Remer said county law enforcement should not be acting as federal agents, which she said erodes trust and leads to fewer people reporting crimes.
“The policy is pretty limited — it’s not about open borders,” she added.
She said the board letter doesn’t prevent the county from giving assistance to federal agencies if there’s a suspected violation of the law, but that if federal immigration authorities want county help in apprehending a suspected criminal, they must produce an arrest warrant.
Ian Seruelo, chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, said he applauded the board’s decision.
“By ensuring that our local resources are not used to detain and deport San Diegans, the Board is sending a strong message that immigrants are valued and welcomed in our region,” Seruelo, who is also chapter leader of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance San Diego, said in a statement.
Desmond had previously falsely described the policy — which received pushback from San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez — as “a reckless measure that actively shields illegal immigrant criminals from deportation, even after committing horrific crimes.”
Vargas, on the other hand, had said the policy “is designed to ensure local resources are focused on addressing the county’s most urgent needs, while protecting families and promoting community trust.”
“Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and our county will not be a tool for policies that hurt our residents,” she said in December.
Updated at 9:38 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2025 to add details about bylaws.
City News Service contributed to this report.
