SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — In response to recent unauthorized federal enforcement actions in San Diego neighborhoods, Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera and County Supervisor and Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer were joined by elected leaders and community advocates from across the region to announce the introduction of the Due Process and Safety Ordinance, a landmark policy aimed at protecting civil liberties, restoring public trust, and drawing firm legal boundaries against discriminatory and warrantless federal activity.
The press conference took place on Friday, September 12 at City Heights/Weingart Library in City Heights— a neighborhood impacted by enforcement activity, including the detention of a father by masked federal agents without a warrant or identification.
“San Diego will not be a staging ground for fear or lawless federal agents,” said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera. “In San Diego, we believe safety comes from rights, not raids. With this ordinance we’re making it clear: our city’s resources will never be used to target, intimidate, or erase our neighbors.”
“San Diegans deserve to feel safe and respected when they walk into a public building,” said Terra Lawson-Remer, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “Together with our partners at the City, we are making San Diego a national model for how local governments can protect civil rights and build trust.”
About the Ordinance
The Due Process and Safety Ordinance will:
- Require judicial warrants for federal access to non-public areas of City-controlled property
- Prohibit local involvement in discriminatory or unauthorized enforcement targeting people based on protected characteristics, such as immigration status, gender identity, reproductive care, or disability
- Extend protections to City contractors, grantees, and lessees, requiring them to adopt the same civil rights standards
- Establish data privacy safeguards and mandate multilingual Know Your Rights signage in City and City-funded facilities
This ordinance is designed not to interfere with lawful public safety operations, but to ensure that law and order are upheld with transparency, accountability, and respect for the Constitution.
“In a climate where hateful rhetoric and cruel policies threaten fairness and justice, protecting due process—especially for non-citizens—is both a legal necessity and a moral imperative,” said Ian Seruelo, Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium. “Due process upholds dignity and fairness for all, regardless of immigration status; and weakening it undermines democracy and the rule of law.”
Regional Solidarity and Leadership
This city-led effort reflects an unprecedented regional collaboration to advance similar legislation across jurisdictions, including the County of San Diego, local school districts, and multiple cities throughout the region. Leaders aim to present a united front in defense of constitutional rights, especially for communities historically targeted by surveillance, detention, and harassment.
“Nationwide, we are witnessing increased targeting of immigrant communities and people of color,” said Norma Chávez-Peterson, Executive Director of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties. “The federal government has intentionally created a climate of fear and intimidation which has traumatized our communities, making people feel less safe in their daily lives. This ordinance takes a critical regional approach to increase local protections for San Diego families. The only way to meet this moment is through solidarity—we must come together to protect our neighbors and loved ones. I hope this ordinance will inspire other localities to adopt similar ordinances to further protect families from the harmful immigration enforcement efforts occurring across our region and our country.”
“As a representative of SDOP and Our Lady Of Guadalupe Parish, I support the Due Process and Safety Ordinance due to my belief that God desires justice and dignity for all people. All people have certain rights, regardless of immigration status, and we want to reaffirm those rights in a political environment that seems to be questioning many of them. Additionally, we want immigrants to be able to take advantage of available city services that can help them and their children live dignified lives and thrive to the best of their ability.” said Father Brad Mills, from Our Lady of Guadalupe Barrio Logan, representing the San Diego Organizing Project.
Regional elected officials from across San Diego County voiced their support and intent to pursue aligned protections in their own jurisdictions:
“We are united in upholding the laws of this nation to ensure that individual rights are respected regardless of federal overreach” said San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava. “I’m ready to do my part to advance the Due Process and Safety Ordinance and protect the people of San Diego.”
“Public transit should be safe, reliable, and fair for everyone,” said San Diego Councilmember and MTS Board Chair Stephen Whitburn. “MTS is committed to clearly communicating people’s rights when they’re on our system.”
“As a Chula Vista City Councilmember, I stand with San Diego in committing that city resources must never be weaponized against our neighbors,” said Councilmember Cesar Fernandez. “I look forward to taking action to protect families, preserve trust, and make clear that dignity and safety are not negotiable.”
“I’m standing in solidarity with San Diego because this is about more than policy — it’s about people,” said Vice Mayor Lauren Cázares of La Mesa. “Our region should never be complicit in fear or discrimination. In La Mesa, we choose dignity, safety, and community for every resident. That’s why I’m working to bring forward policy in La Mesa this fall.”
“We proudly join local leaders across the region to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the dignity of our immigrant communities,” said Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce. “Oceanside is a vibrant and resilient family and if we can do something to protect our family, then we will. We stand with our regional sisters and brothers today because cruelty cannot prevail when we stand together.
“It is clear to us—especially in light of this week’s Supreme Court ruling—that we must use all means legally available to us to protect our families from the current administration’s grave and escalating campaign of legalized lawlessness,” said Cody Petterson, President of the San Diego Unified School Board. “We will do everything in our legitimate power to protect our communities from federal lawlessness.”
Protecting People, Defending Values
The Due Process and Safety Ordinance will be heard by the San Diego City Council later this month. Leaders across jurisdictions are preparing to introduce aligned legislation in the County of San Diego, La Mesa, Chula Vista, Oceanside, and other local agencies in the coming weeks.
“Together, we’re taking a clear, coordinated stand: chaos, discrimination, and intimidation have no place in San Diego,” said Elo-Rivera. “We’re defending rights, protecting communities, and building a region where dignity and safety are non-negotiable.”
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Preceding provided by Councilman Elo-Rivera and Supervisor Lawson-Remer, both of whom are members of San Diego’s Jewish community.
The ‘ordinance’ will be literally laughed out of Federal Court.