San Diego County Adopts Ordinance Requiring Warrants for Federal Agents

New rules aim to protect access to county facilities and services

Feb. 1, 2026 at 3:15pm

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The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has approved an ordinance that prohibits federal law enforcement agents from accessing non-public areas of county facilities without a judicial warrant or court order. The new "Civil Liberties Enforcement and Accountability Rules" (CLEAR) ordinance was passed in a 3-1 vote and is modeled on a similar policy adopted by the City of San Diego in 2025.

Why it matters

The ordinance is intended to ensure that families and individuals feel safe accessing county services and facilities, without fear of federal immigration enforcement actions. It comes in the wake of high-profile incidents in other parts of the country where federal agents have conducted enforcement operations in non-public areas, leading to concerns about public trust and safety.

The details

Under the new ordinance, public areas of county facilities will remain accessible without a warrant, but federal agents will need a judicial warrant or court order to access non-public spaces. The requirements also apply to county contractors, grantees, and leaseholders. Clear, multilingual signage will be posted in county buildings informing visitors of their rights.

  • The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the CLEAR ordinance on January 28, 2026.
  • A similar policy was adopted by the City of San Diego in October 2025.

The players

San Diego County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of San Diego County that approved the CLEAR ordinance.

Supervisor Jim Desmond

The sole dissenting vote on the CLEAR ordinance, who called it "restrictive" and "divisive".

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer

The Coronado representative on the Board of Supervisors who praised the ordinance as protecting public safety and community trust.

Supervisor Nora Vargas

A supporter of the ordinance who cited recent incidents in Minnesota as justification for the new rules.

Tom Homan

The White House's border czar who was sent to Minnesota to take over immigration enforcement operations.

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What they’re saying

“We all want law enforcement to keep our community safe, but when families are afraid to go into a clinic or report a crime or walk into a county office that makes everyone less safe. It weakens public health and it makes our entire community feel under threat.”

— Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer (coronadotimes.com)

“These tragic moments should have never happened, but they serve as a reminder that public safety is best protected when all levels of government communicate clearly and coordinate effectively before crises happen, not after. That's how it should have been, that that's what Minnesotans and San Diegans deserve going forward.”

— Supervisor Jim Desmond (coronadotimes.com)

“Moments like this demand more than statements. They demand action. (...) We're taking this final vote on the CLEAR ordinance, a concrete, lawful action to protect people who rely on county services every day.”

— Supervisor Nora Vargas (coronadotimes.com)

What’s next

The new ordinance will go into effect immediately, requiring clear signage and new protocols for federal law enforcement interactions with county facilities.

The takeaway

This ordinance represents a proactive step by San Diego County to protect the civil liberties and public trust of its residents, ensuring that all community members feel safe accessing essential county services without fear of federal immigration enforcement actions.