Increased ICE enforcement sparks fear, protests in North County

REGION — The increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has stirred panic and fear within North County communities, with some residents taking to the streets in protest and others calling on school districts to protect families from enforcement. 

Concerns had risen significantly since Jan. 21, when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the reversal of a directive under the Biden administration that restricted immigration enforcement at schools, churches, hospitals and domestic violence shelters. 

Around 1,500 military personnel have also been deployed to San Diego near Imperial Beach to assist in securing the U.S.-Mexico border after President Donald Trump issued an executive order closing off the border to asylum seekers.

Over the past few weeks, community members have reported an increase in ICE arrests in Solana Beach, Escondido and other areas. Lisa Montes, a member of the historic La Colonia de Eden Gardens community in Solana Beach, said residents were rocked by ICE raids two days in a row last week, including arrests at local apartment complexes and restaurants. 

“The word got out fast, and families are fearful; kids and teens are fearful,” Montes said. “Parents are fearful of shopping, going to doctor’s appointments, and going to school.” 

Montes said community members are asking how the Solana Beach School District is responding to these worries and asking them to make accommodations for students. The school district has provided support materials to families in English and Spanish from the San Diego County Office of Education. 

“Solana Beach School District believes schools are meant to be safe spaces where children can learn and grow without fear. In light of national conversations around immigration, we understand that some families may be experiencing feelings of uncertainty,” the district said on its website. 

Other districts throughout the county are also fielding concerns about ICE appearing outside of schools to detain adults or children potentially. However, districts say no agents have performed enforcement on school campuses yet.

Concerns about ICE on or near school campuses in San Marcos have proliferated on social media over the past week. The San Marcos Unified School District reassured families that they are prepared for this possibility but reiterated that this has not occurred yet.

“While unlikely, last week we proactively met with and provided guidance to all school principals on the appropriate procedures should immigration officials arrive on campus. Our leadership teams are well prepared to handle such situations with professionalism and care, ensuring that our schools remain safe spaces for all students,” Superintendent Andy Johnson said in a Jan. 27 message to families. 

The Escondido Union School District shared similar assurances in a statement on Jan. 30. While the city of Escondido has seen multiple arrests in the community, the district said schools are not being impacted at this time. 

“Given the activity of recent immigration enforcement in our community, we are aware of several rumors and fears about ICE targeting schools. We want to confirm that this is not the case. There have been no confirmed cases of immigration attempting to be on our campuses in Escondido or anywhere in San Diego County,” Superintendent Luis Rankins-Ibarra said in a statement. 

One Escondido family’s experience with immigration officials has caught wide attention online. In a video recorded and shared by a young woman, she can be seen reciting her rights to around half a dozen immigration officials outside her door and declining to speak with them. When officers presented a warrant, she stated she did not have to let them in as a judge had not signed it. 

The woman told NBC 7 that the officers, who arrived in unmarked vehicles, said they were seeking her uncle but that they would take everybody into the home if they came inside. 

Neither the ICE San Diego field office nor the national ICE office responded to inquiries regarding enforcement in San Diego County and Trump’s Jan. 21 executive order.

Immigrant rights

In the face of fear and confusion, immigrant rights organizations, law offices and some elected officials are working to inform community members of their rights so they can protect themselves wherever possible. 

California Attorney General Rob Bonta held an immigrant rights regional meeting in San Diego in January, telling local immigrant rights groups and elected officials that the California Department of Justice is committed to protecting immigrants. 

Under California Senate Bill 54, local law enforcement resources cannot be used for immigration enforcement, with very limited exceptions. This means police cannot ask individuals about their immigration status or participate in operations where the purpose is immigration enforcement. 

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department reiterated that they are not involved with immigration enforcement, as prohibited by SB54, and said they could not provide any information on local raids or arrests. 

“Per state law, we do not vet with ICE, DHS, or HSI, and therefore are unaware of any immigration enforcement operations in SDSO jurisdiction,” Sheriff’s spokesperson Kimberly King said.   

However, Sheriff Kelly Martinez has stated publicly that her department will not follow a policy passed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in December that further limits law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with ICE beyond what is outlined in SB54. 

The policy expressly prohibits the Sheriff’s Office from collaborating with ICE when it comes to nonviolent crimes or civil enforcement matters and requires the department to obtain authorization from a federal judge before transferring an inmate into ICE custody.

Martinez told news outlets the department is subject to state law, not policies from the Board of Supervisors, and said they will continue to allow ICE to interview consenting individuals in their custody and inform ICE of upcoming release dates for individuals facing certain criminal charges. 

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium criticized Martinez’s response, claiming it violates state law. 

“We were disappointed by your declaration that you would not be following Board Policy L-02. It disrespects the will of the community, and goes against not just the values of our county but state law itself. It also undermines our constitutional right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures,” SDIRC said in a December letter. 

According to a news announcement on the City of Escondido’s website, Homeland Security Investigations contacted the Escondido Police Department to inform them that federal agents were conducting an enforcement operation in the San Diego region aligned with President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration and mass deportation plans.

EPD, like the Sheriff’s Office, is also required to follow SB 54.

“There have been multiple reports of (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents making contact with people and locations in the Escondido area,” EPD’s statement reads. 

“The Escondido Police Department’s official stance is that EPD will continue to abide by the guidelines of SB54 (and DI 4.11) regarding immigration enforcement.”

“The City acknowledges the complexity of this issue and will continue to monitor the situation, keeping the safety of Escondido residents as a top priority,” the statement continued.

Protests erupt in response

In cities across San Diego County and Southern California,  protestors have taken to the streets waving Mexican flags and signs with pro-immigration messages to push back against Trump’s mass deportation orders.

In Escondido, a large crowd gathered for such a demonstration at the corner of Washington Avenue and Escondido Boulevard on Jan. 29.

During the protest, an illegal street takeover occurred nearby. Drivers began performing donuts and burnouts on the street and in the parking lot near the demonstration, police said.

EPD, San Diego Police and California Highway Patrol officers together impounded at least 11 vehicles whose owners are from Escondido, Vista, San Marcos and San Diego. 

Investigators were searching for more vehicles to impound over the weekend as drivers face criminal charges for damaging the roadway, according to police.

“Freedom of speech and expression are fundamental rights in our society. The City of Escondido Police Department openly welcomes, supports, and defends the lawful and peaceful applications of these rights, regardless of topic,” said Interim Escondido Police Chief Erik Witholt in a statement on Jan. 31. “When peaceful gatherings escalate into unlawful activities such as blocking roadways, occupying intersections, unlawful fireworks, and other actions that pose a clear and present danger to attendees and the public, we must act to restore order and safety. Violations of the law will be investigated, and those responsible could face criminal charges.”

Following the car impoundments on Feb. 2, another large demonstration broke out on either side of Centre City Parkway at the Decatur Way intersection directly in front of the Escondido Police Department Headquarters. 

The Coast News wire service contributed to this report.