Barrio Logan march for victims of ICE violence in Minneapolis and beyond. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
Several San Diego City Councilmembers Thursday announced plans to consider a resolution next week opposing what they described as “unnecessarily aggressive and excessive tactics” by federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security.
Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert, chair of the Public Safety Committee, was joined by Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera and Vivian Moreno in bringing forward the resolution, which would allow City Attorney Heather Ferbert to take legal action on behalf of San Diego to support Minnesota and Illinois lawsuits against the Trump Administration via DHS, United States Immigration Customs and Enforcement, and United States Customs and Border Protection.
“ICE’s actions in Minneapolis and across the country undermine our shared American values of life, liberty, and due process. Conducting operations that terrorize communities based on how someone looks or sounds is both inhumane and unlawful,” von Wilpert said. “When monetary incentives, arrest or deportation quotas, and systemic disregard for constitutional protections are part of the system, it becomes clear this isn’t about legitimate law enforcement or public safety.
“True public safety requires equal protection, due process, and accountability under the law. Anything less undermines the very constitutional principles federal agencies are sworn to uphold and erodes trust in government institutions.”
In the last several weeks, DHS, ICE and Border Patrol agents have conducted numerous operations in Minneapolis. Several of these have led to federal agents shooting and killing American citizens, including Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Keith Porter, Jr. was killed by an off-duty ICE agent in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. At least 32 people died in ICE custody last year.
“The violent, dehumanizing tactics being used by federal immigration agents are a betrayal of our values and a threat to our communities,” Elo- Rivera said.
“These unconstitutional actions are not about safety; they are about fear and control. In San Diego, we believe in dignity, due process, and the right to feel safe — whether you’re dropping your child off at school, going to work, or simply living your life.”
The backlash from the Minneapolis shooting was severe enough that CBP Commander at Large Gregory Bovino was demoted from his position and sent back to his former post in El Centro, California.
ICE has been active in San Diego County, including a national news- making raid of South Park restaurant Buono Forchetta in May 2025. Since then, citizen watchdogs have reported raids and operations by federal immigration agents in San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido and other cities around the county.
“I am greatly disappointed, and heart broken in our current federal administration with the recent violent ICE raids that have occurred in San Diego and across the United States,” Moreno said. “The actions taken by ICE are simply inhumane, unconstitutional and are not welcome in San Diego. This has led to drastic terror in our communities and lack of public’s trust in state and local government. America deserves better.”
Earlier this month, Minnesota and Illinois filed separate lawsuits challenging enforcement practices under the Trump Administration, citing violations of the 10th Amendment. The resolution proposed Thursday calls on the city attorney to act on behalf of the city in support of Minnesota’s lawsuit through amicus curiae — friend of the court — brief or an alternative legal method.
“The rule of law matters, and due process matters as they are the foundational pillars of this nation,” von Wilpert said. “Minnesota and Illinois leaders are showing real courage by defending those principles while they’re under attack both in the streets and the courts by the federal government.
“These aren’t just words or concepts, despite the group think of this current administration. They are the guaranteed rights of all people in this country, regardless of immigration status.”
The resolution will be taken up for consideration by the full San Diego City Council on Monday at 2 p.m.
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