Residents Demand End to Local ICE Training Contracts

Residents in Escondido, California call for their city to terminate agreements allowing ICE to train at a local gun range.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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For over a decade, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have been training at a gun range in Escondido, California, largely unnoticed by local residents. However, amid President Trump's immigration crackdown and recent incidents of federal agents fatally shooting U.S. citizens, the community is now demanding that their local government terminate these training contracts with ICE.

Why it matters

The revelation of these long-standing ICE training contracts has sparked outrage among Escondido residents, who feel their local government has enabled federal immigration enforcement activities without their knowledge or consent. This issue touches on broader debates around the role of local authorities in supporting federal immigration policies.

The details

The Escondido Police Department has allowed ICE to use its gun range for training purposes for over 10 years under a contract agreement. However, the arrangement only came to light recently as President Trump's hardline immigration stance and several high-profile shootings by federal agents have heightened public scrutiny of ICE activities.

  • ICE has been training at the Escondido gun range for over a decade.
  • The training contracts came to light in the past year amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

The players

Escondido Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Escondido, California that has allowed ICE to use its gun range for training purposes under a contract agreement.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal immigration enforcement agency that has been training at the Escondido gun range for over a decade.

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What they’re saying

“We must not allow our local government to enable federal immigration enforcement activities without our knowledge or consent.”

— Resident (Escondido Community Forum)

What’s next

Escondido city officials have indicated they will review the ICE training contract and consider terminating the agreement in response to community concerns.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the tensions between local communities and federal immigration enforcement, as well as the need for greater transparency around agreements between local governments and federal agencies.