Sheriff's Office outlines new ICE transfer protocols amid California immigration laws

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors convened on April 22, 2025, to discuss the Truth Act Community Forum, focusing on the Sheriff's Office's role in immigration enforcement and its compliance with state laws. The meeting highlighted the balance the agency maintains in providing access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while adhering to California's immigration legislation.

The presentation began with an overview of three significant immigration laws: the Trust Act (AB 4), the Truth Act (AB 2792), and the California Values Act (SB 54). These laws restrict local law enforcement's involvement in federal immigration enforcement, limiting their ability to detain individuals based solely on immigration detainers and requiring transparency in their cooperation with ICE.

The Sheriff's Office emphasized its commitment to building trust within immigrant communities by not inquiring about immigration status, not participating in immigration raids, and not sharing personal information unless legally required. The agency has also implemented educational programs aimed at demystifying its role in immigration matters.

Liliana Martinez Fuentes, the Detentions Processing Manager, provided detailed statistics regarding ICE interactions in 2024. She explained that ICE must submit formal requests to the Sheriff's Office, which are screened based on qualifying convictions. In 2024, the Sheriff's Office received 1,236 ICE release notification requests, with 202 being denied due to non-compliance with state law. A total of 30 individuals were transferred to ICE, with the majority having qualifying convictions.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the Sheriff's Office's policies and practices regarding immigration enforcement, emphasizing transparency and adherence to state laws. The Board of Supervisors acknowledged the importance of these discussions in fostering community trust and ensuring public safety.