Mayors Address Immigration Crackdown Concerns

San Diego and Oklahoma City leaders discuss managing cities amid rising immigration tensions.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:39am

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CNN News Central's Sara Sidner interviewed San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, a Democrat, and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, a Republican, about the challenges of leading their cities during a period of heightened tensions over immigration enforcement operations.

Why it matters

Immigration policy and enforcement have become increasingly divisive political issues, with local leaders often caught in the middle as they try to balance public safety, community relations, and federal directives.

The details

The mayors discussed the impact of immigration crackdowns on their cities, including concerns from immigrant communities about increased deportation efforts and the strain on local law enforcement resources. They also addressed the need to maintain open communication and trust between city governments and diverse populations.

  • The interview took place on January 30, 2026.

The players

Todd Gloria

The Democratic mayor of San Diego, California.

David Holt

The Republican mayor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Sara Sidner

A CNN News Central reporter who conducted the interview.

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What they’re saying

“We must balance public safety with community relations, and that's not always easy when the federal government is pushing aggressive immigration policies.”

— Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego (CNN)

“As mayor, my priority is to keep all residents safe and secure, regardless of immigration status. But the reality is these crackdowns create a lot of fear and distrust.”

— David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City (CNN)

What’s next

The mayors plan to continue advocating for policies that balance public safety and community relations as the national debate over immigration enforcement continues.

The takeaway

Local leaders are navigating a complex and politically charged environment as they try to address the impacts of federal immigration policies on their diverse communities.