Full Breakdown
San Diego County Moves to End ICE and CBP Use of County Firearm Ranges
8/19/2026, 2:44:20 AM
County Move to End Federal Immigration Training Agreements
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will vote on terminating three license agreements that allow ICE and CBP to conduct firearms training at county ranges. The agreements, signed in 2017 (CBP), 2021 (ICE) and 2022 (ICE at Miramar), were administered without a formal board vote because their values fell below the approval threshold. Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer and Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre say the contracts conflict with the county’s CLEAR ordinance, which limits federal law-enforcement access to non-public facilities.
Background & Context
The CLEAR ordinance, adopted in January 2024, restricts federal immigration agents from using county properties without a warrant. A ten-year agreement with ICE for the San Diego Regional Firearms Training Center dates to 2021; a similar CBP contract dates to 2017. Both agencies have logged roughly 3,350 training hours at the Otay Mesa facility since 2024. The proposal follows a broader local debate, including a February 2025 Escondido city-council vote that upheld a comparable contract.
Data & Statistics
- Estimated revenue from the three agreements: $126,780.
- ICE training hours logged since 2024: 3,350 at the San Diego Regional Firearms Training Center.
- ICE removals from the county between Jan. 20 2025 and Apr. 1 2026: >16,000, per Rep. Mike Levin.
- CBP personnel stationed at San Diego ports of entry: ? 1,700.
Official Statements & Responses
Sheriff Kelly Martinez said ICE will lose access to sheriff-run facilities, emphasizing that “community trust and strong relationships are the cornerstone of effective local policing.” The sheriff’s office clarified that CBP’s use of the Otay Mesa range would continue.
Criticism & Opposition
District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond warned that ending the contracts could reduce training opportunities, stating that “more training is key” to public safety.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Impact on Border Operations: Scott predicts staffing reductions and longer wait times at San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, the CBX, and the airport.
- Training Alternatives: Aguirre notes CBP officers have other local ranges, while Scott maintains the Otay Mesa center is the only venue for mandatory CBP firearms qualification. The discrepancy highlights a lack of publicly verified data on alternative capacity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our local public facilities should serve our residents, not support federal immigration operations that disregard and trample upon due process and the rule of law,” — Terra Lawson-Remer
- “Community trust and strong relationships are the cornerstone of effective local policing," Martinez said.” — Sheriff Kelly Martinez
What’s Next
The board is expected to hold the vote on Tuesday. If approved, the agreements will terminate ten days after the county notifies the federal government. The sheriff’s office will continue discussions with federal partners to assess any operational adjustments.
