SAN DIEGO — On Jan. 20, the White House passed an Executive Order titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion which states “It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute the immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens, particularly those aliens who threaten the safety or security of the American people.”
Immigration enforcement has increased since January, causing uncertainty for some. February 2025.
Immigration enforcement operations went underway across the US in response to this new Executive Order and others directed toward immigration. These operations are intended to primarily target immigrants with criminal backgrounds, however, there is public concern that immigrants with no criminal record will also be subject to this enforcement.
According to NBC News, in the first week of President Donald Trump’s second term, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had made at least 2,681 arrests. It is currently unclear how many of those arrested have criminal records.
There are roughly 1.4 million people in the US with final orders of removal, but only about 6,000 Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers, making Trump’s goal to deport 600 to 1,000 immigrants a day difficult to achieve logistically. The Trump administration is seeking $175 billion dollars from Congress for immigration enforcement efforts through the next four years. Immigration enforcement authority has been expanded to various federal agencies beyond ICE to assist these efforts.
The Trump administration also expanded “expedited removal” authority, allowing ICE to deport more people without an appearance before an immigration judge, making the deportation process more rapid. Now, anyone who cannot prove they have resided in the United States for two years is subject to expedited removal. The removal policy previously applied only to individuals who had been in the US for less than two weeks and were within 100 miles of the border.
Another change in the immigration landscape since Jan. 20 is the status of “sensitive locations” such as schools and churches. The new administration rescinded sensitive location status, and without that distinction, there is now a possibility that ICE operations could enter these locations.
Immigration enforcement operations are particularly relevant in San Diego as one of the largest US-Mexico border cities. According to CBS 8, San Diego County is home to around 170,000 undocumented immigrants.
Some San Diego-specific updates in terms of increased immigration enforcement and changing policies includes the closure of Jewish Family Service’s migrant shelter and – as a result – the termination of over 100 employees, and a new resolution passed in El Cajon stating that “the city will comply with federal immigration law to remove violent criminals, as much as state law will allow.”
As of now, no ICE activity has been reported at any ECS locations or during home visits. ECS is closely monitoring the situation and will update accordingly.
ECS understands that immigration enforcement policies can create uncertainty and concern in our community. We want to reassure our clients, staff, and neighbors that we remain a safe and supportive space. Guided by our core values of belonging, respect, and empowerment, we are committed to providing resources, education, and assistance to help individuals navigate these situations with confidence. For more information on your rights and available resources, click here to access helpful guides and legal assistance options.
