A California sheriff has told the San Diego County Board of Supervisors that she will not enforce the board’s new sanctuary policies to shield illegal aliens.
Last week, the board met and in a 3-1 vote decided to put stronger restrictions on law enforcement officials working with federal immigration agents. The board claimed that it was designating an Diego County as a “super sanctuary” for illegals.
Supervisor Jim Desmond, the lone dissenter, blasted the board’s policy.
Today’s outrageous decision to turn San Diego County into a “Super” Sanctuary County is an affront to every law-abiding citizen who values safety and justice. The Board of Supervisors’ 3-1 vote to embrace this radical policy is a direct betrayal of the people we are sworn to… pic.twitter.com/LypCR5S1GX
— Supervisor Jim Desmond (@jim_desmond) December 10, 2024
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez was no less unsupportive of the board’s decision.
“The Sheriff respects Chairwoman Vargas and the members of the Board of Supervisors; however, she has been clear on her position on this matter,” the sheriff’s office wrote in an X post.
Read @SDSheriff statement on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors' vote on immigration enforcement. You can also read the full statement here: https://t.co/PSGANIABaf. pic.twitter.com/5y7I5rMeud
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) December 11, 2024
“As stated in the Sheriff’s statement, she will continue to follow state law, and there is no loophole in state statute as referenced in the Chairwoman’s board letter,” the post continued.
“Current state law strikes the right balance between limiting local law enforcement’s cooperation with immigration authorities, ensuring public safety, and building community trust.”
“The Board of Supervisors does not set policy for the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff, as an independently elected official, sets the policy for the Sheriff’s Office.”
“California law prohibits the Board of Supervisors from interfering with the independent, constitutionally and statutorily designated investigative functions of the Sheriff, and is clear that the Sheriff has the sole and exclusive authority to operate the county jails.”
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston, or Truth Social @WarnerToddHuston
