San Diego, CA
San Diego County Board, sheriff battle over new policy ending ICE transfers
A battle is brewing over San Diego County’s new policy aimed at limiting the sheriff’s transfers of undocumented individuals into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday passed the measure to end the use of any county resources for immigration enforcement by a vote of 3-1.
The policy builds on Senate Bill 54, a state law known as the California Values Act that was passed in 2017 to limit state and local participation in deportations, with some exceptions for people convicted of crimes like assault and battery.
The Board’s new measure closes those exceptions, which Board Chair Nora Vargas called “loophole[s]” in introducing the policy. The measure ends voluntary transfers from the county into ICE custody, or notifications of anyone’s release from detention, requiring the federal agency to get a judicial warrant. Approximately 200 people were transferred from San Diego County into ICE custody last year.
Hours after the policy’s passage on Tuesday, Sheriff Kelly Martinez said in a statement she would not enforce it, noting she “will continue to follow state law and there is no loophole in state statute.”
“The Sheriff’s Office will not change its practices based on the Board resolution and policy that was passed at today’s meeting,” the statement from Martinez’s office reads in part. “The Board of Supervisors does not set policy for the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff, as an independently elected official, sets the policy for the Sheriff’s Office.”
“California law prohibits the Board of Supervisors from interfering with the independent, constitutionally and statutorily designated investigative functions of the Sheriff, and is clear that the Sheriff has the sole and exclusive authority to operate the county jails,” the statement concludes.
Advocates have long pushed for the new Board policy.
“We believe this is very important when it comes to ensuring public safety,” said Ian Seruelo, the chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, a coalition of advocacy groups.
“The only way for our communities to trust the local government and the local police is to show that our local police is separate and not part of ICE, is not part of immigration enforcement,” he said. “You may not want to report to the police if you think the police is part of ICE, right?”
On Thursday, Seruelo and the SDIRC sent a letter to Martinez, copying the County Board and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, urging her to comply with the new policy.
At issue is the clause within SB 54 that states, “A law enforcement official shall have discretion to cooperate with immigration authorities only if doing so would not violate any federal, state, or local law, or local policy.”
The SDIRC’s letter said “any transfer of notification that is made without a judicial warrant is a direct violation of state law,” because it would violate the new local policy.
“We hope that your statement was a mere misunderstanding on your part of the full scope of the California Values Act, and not a flagrant disregard for state law, our democratic processes and our constitutional rights,” the letter reads.
In response, Martinez again reiterated in a statement Friday, “The Sheriff’s Office will not be expanding nor changing anything we have been doing,” adding that the office “will continue to follow state law and maintain the way we have been operating for several years.”
“The sheriff’s department is saying, ‘Stop. That’s not the state law,’” said immigration attorney Esther Valdes Clayton. “We follow the state constitution and the government code. And the what the government code says is that we can cooperate when it comes to these particularly egregious crimes.”
Valdes Clayton said she believed the Board policy was a “largely symbolic resolution” to score political points before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.
“Why was this important to San Diegans?” she asked. “I think it was more important to the three Board of Supervisors and their political careers to have this go on paper and try to attempt to Trump-proof our community.”
Valdes Clayton noted she thought there would be several lawsuits over the policy, adding, “This is something that I believe the Department of Justice is going to have to clarify, all the way to the Supreme Court.”
Seruelo said he too believed lawsuits were a distinct possibility.
“We are ready to continue to be vigilant and to monitor the implementation of the resolution,” he said. “If the sheriff, you know, indeed refuses to follow the resolution and transfers any of our community members without any judicial warrant, then, you know, we may – if we will have to go file a lawsuit in this regard, we would. That would be one of our options, definitely.”
When asked about the conflict, Bonta’s office said in a statement in part, “it is our expectation is that all local law enforcement agencies comply with SB 54 and all applicable local policies enacted in accordance with SB 54.”
“In light of the President-elect’s threats of mass detention, arrests, and deportation, we are monitoring compliance closely; we will take a look at the facts of each scenario as it arises; and we will respond appropriately if we believe an agency is violating the law,” Bonta’s statement continued, pointing back to the county for issues of compliance with local policy.
CORONADO, Calif. (KGTV) – Everyone from NASCAR officials to the drivers to those who serve on Naval Base Coronado is beaming with excitement, waiting to kick the tires and light the fires this race weekend for NASCAR San Diego Weekend.
“Fans can expect one incredible time. History is being made this weekend,” Matt Humphrey, Sr. Director of Track Communications for NASCAR, said.
The racing track is up at Naval Base Coronado.
“It’s been amazing from seeing the bones of the track going up to driving the track, going to work in the morning. It’s incredible,” Seaman Naylei Fausto of the U.S. Navy said,
And now it’s time to race.
The NASCAR San Diego weekend is officially underway, with the first event held at an active military base.
“They’re going to be able to see a lot of what NASCAR is about with all the different fan displays, the kids’ zone, all the different activations from our partners around, but most importantly, they’re going to see the United States Navy showcased in the best form possible,” Humphrey said.
One of those sailors, Seaman Fausto, who is a lifelong NASCAR fan, never thought she’d see her station transformed into a NASCAR track, let alone any base.
“Joining the Navy, I thought I was going to be out taking pictures and doing Navy-related things, and now I get to work with NASCAR, which is just amazing and it’s fulfilling my inner child,” Fausto said.
Those behind the wheel say that, in their experience, there’s nothing like this event.
“It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I think we’ve had some opportunities. We did the street course in Chicago for the last couple of years,” Cody Ware, NASCAR Driver, said. “But to show up here, getting the opportunity to race on an active military base just for the US Navy and NASCAR to be able to work together to put the show on is really incredible.”
There will be a Truck Series race starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday. On Saturday, that’s when the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts race will be happening. That begins at 2 p.m. This is the second tier of NASCAR races where drivers hone their skills, looking to get into the top level of the NASCAR circuit. Sunday is the main race with the NASCAR Cup Series happening at 1 p.m.
While it’s incredible to host NASCAR at the naval base, NASCAR officials hope people plan ahead to avoid the painful process of getting to the track.
“But if you do not have that government-issued photo ID or passport, you’ll be turned away. So very important that you bring that. But then bring your patients, come early,” Humphrey said. “If you think it’s going to take a half hour to get here, add an extra 30 to 40 to even 60 minutes on top of that; just to give yourself enough time to get over the bridge to make sure you get through the gates, get through security.”
Humphrey added that NASCAR is working together with local, state and federal agencies to make sure traffic is moving smoothly, and everyone is getting into the race and having fun.
San Diego County will be the center of NASCAR nation this weekend, with fans flocking to Naval Base Coronado for three days of events.
This is the first-ever Cup race held in San Diego County and the NASCAR community is also presenting it as its way of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
Tickets are completely sold out, but locals can still get in on the fun at various event and activities taking place across the region.
Here’s what to know about this one-of-a-kind weekend in San Diego. Full coverage of NASCAR San Diego Weekend can be found at sandiegouniontribune.com/tag/nascar.
What is NASCAR San Diego Weekend?
The three-day event begins with Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series race, continues with an O’Reilly Auto Parts series race on Saturday and wraps Sunday with the Anduril 250.
Grandstands with a capacity for 40,000 fans have been erected, with another 10,000 spectators expected to occupy standing areas around the grounds.
Here’s a turn-by-turn look at Naval Base Coronado’s race circuit
When is it taking place?
Parking lots, which are on base, open each day at 7 a.m. and gates open at 9 a.m.
The Craftsman Truck Series takes place Friday at 4 p.m. The O’Reilly Auto Parts series race blasts off at 2 p.m. Saturday. The main event, NASCAR Cup Series Race, happens Sunday at 1 p.m.
A race-by-race look at NASCAR’s San Diego Weekend
Each day will also feature entertainment, driver Q&As and other activities.
Where is it?
Naval Base Coronado will host the weekend’s activities. All fans in attendance must carry a valid government-issued photo ID at all times.
Going to this weekend’s NASCAR races in Coronado? Here’s what you need to know
All event parking will be located on Naval Base Coronado. There is no event parking available within the city of Coronado.
Who is racing?
Shane Van Gisbergen, Tyler Reddick, Mike McDowell, Chase Elliott and Ty Gibbs are just a few of the names to expect this weekend. A full lineup can be found at nascarsandiego.com/nascar-san-diego-mission-lineup.
These 13 Cup racers could all win Sunday’s Anduril 250 in Coronado
How to watch on TV:
Craftsman Trucks Series race: 4 p.m. Friday on Fox Sports 1
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race: 2 p.m. Saturday on The CW
NASCAR Cup race: Sunday at 1 p.m. on Prime Video
Local events:
San Diegans have a range of options for getting in on the fun of NASCAR weekend in Coronado, including meet and greets with drivers, watch parties and fan zones.
Your guide to fan events during NASCAR San Diego Weekend
More coverage:
CORONADO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Final preparations are underway for NASCAR’s historic race weekend at Naval Base Coronado, where stock cars will compete on an active military installation for the first time in the sport’s history.
Crews, race teams, military personnel, first responders and event staff spent Thursday putting the finishing touches on the temporary road course as thousands of fans prepare to descend on the base for the inaugural event.
“The countdown is on,” as organizers work to transform portions of the installation into a race venue unlike any NASCAR has hosted before.
“It’s a very proud moment for NASCAR and myself and my company for being part of it,” said Jordan Litchko, a NASCAR production partner with ignition production. “It’s the America 250, so what a year to celebrate and be here on the naval base.”
Officials say the event marks the first time a NASCAR national series race has been held on a military base, bringing one of America’s most recognizable motorsports directly onto a working military installation.
Unlike traditional oval tracks, competitors will tackle a temporary road course built specifically for the event.
“It’s a road course race, which adds way more excitement, so it’s going to be ultra challenging,” Litchko said.
Thursday’s preparations included long lines of team members, vendors, staff and emergency personnel picking up credentials and completing security and base access requirements ahead of race weekend.
Meanwhile, drivers and crews got their first close look at the unique layout, which winds through portions of the base and presents a challenge far different from a conventional speedway.
With large crowds expected throughout the weekend, organizers are encouraging fans to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Traffic delays are anticipated around Naval Base Coronado and nearby access points as spectators arrive for the event.
After months of planning and construction, the wait is nearly over.
On Friday, engines will roar to life aboard Naval Base Coronado, marking a milestone moment for NASCAR and creating a new chapter in the sport’s history. By the weekend’s end, fans will witness a race unlike any ever held before — stock cars competing on a military base in the heart of San Diego.
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