San Diego passes law barring federal agents from non-public spaces without a warrant

The San Diego City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance aimed at strengthening protections for residents amid increased immigration enforcement, the second and final vote after months of public comment.

Councilmembers unanimously approved the “Due Process and Safety Ordinance,” which bars federal agents from non-public city property without a warrant signed by a judge. That also applies for city contractors, which would include areas like construction projects for new city-funded buildings.

The law also limits local police involvement in any enforcement actions that target protected characteristics — building on California law already place to limit the use of state and local resources in immigration enforcement. It also requires more “Know Your Rights” signage across the city and further restricts the city’s data sharing with outside agencies.

The policy comes amid heightened concern over immigration enforcement across San Diego.

Data obtained by the Deportation Data Project via a Freedom of Information Act request, and analyzed by NBC 7 Investigates, shows ICE arrests in the region increased nearly sevenfold in the first 10 months of 2025 as compared to all of 2024, with incidents like the high-profile operation at the Buona Forchetta restaurant in South Park drawing public attention.

On Tuesday, the vast majority of speakers during public comment offered their support for the ordinance.

“I have been a 25-year U.S. citizen, and today I carry my passport card with me everywhere because I am afraid of being taken, deported without due process,” one speaker said.

“We have to organize canvassing to support small businesses, giving them information on how to protect immigrant workers,” said the leader of the nonprofit Viet Voices, which supports Vietnamese community members. “When I’m canvassing in the neighborhood, when I come up to people, I can see them scurrying away, trying to hide.”

“I don’t want my people to live like this in a country where they come to seek freedom,” he continued.

“The community doesn’t know who’s there to protect them, who’s there to uphold their rights, and who’s there to terrorize them,” said Patricia Mondragon, of Alliance San Diego.                                   

“We hear every single day – just yesterday I heard from somebody that is afraid,” she continued, “They’re afraid to leave their home. They’re afraid to go to church. This is a person that has been here for over 20 years that has worked, built a life, and just lives in fear.”

Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera introduced the measure, which passed a first vote in October. He said the process took months because it carries more weight than a more symbolic resolution or proclamation.

Though he acknowledged there are limits to what local governments can do in the face of federal enforcement.

“What it will not do, unfortunately, although I wish it could, is guarantee protection from a completely immoral and increasingly unhinged fascist president,” Elo-Rivera said in his comments on the ordinance.

The measure now heads to the mayor’s desk for his signature and will take effect 30 days after it is signed.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.