Regional Officials Urge Escondido to End ICE Training Contract

Letter signed by 33 elected officials calls on city to terminate agreement allowing DHS agents to use local police facility

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A group of 33 regional elected officials, including county supervisors, city council members, and school board trustees, have submitted a letter to the Escondido City Council urging them to terminate a contract that allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to use the city's outdoor training facility. The officials argue the contract has "harmful consequences" that extend beyond Escondido and negatively impact communities across San Diego County.

Why it matters

The contract with ICE has sparked public outcry and protests in Escondido and across the region, with critics arguing it enables harmful immigration enforcement tactics that have sown fear in immigrant communities. The letter reflects growing political pressure on Escondido to end the agreement, which some see as incompatible with the city's "core values."

The details

The one-year contract was signed on January 14 and allows DHS employees to train at Escondido's 22-acre outdoor facility, which is made available to other agencies about 200 days per year. The Escondido City Council is scheduled to review and discuss the contract at a meeting on Wednesday, where a rally and news conference are also planned outside City Hall.

  • The contract was signed on January 14 and went into effect on January 15.
  • The Escondido City Council will review and discuss the contract at a meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Escondido Police Department

The local police department in Escondido, California that operates the outdoor training facility being used by ICE agents under the contract.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that is using the Escondido training facility under the contract.

Sowing Seeds of Dignity

A group organizing opposition to the Escondido-ICE contract and the rally/news conference outside City Hall.

Eric Joyce

Oceanside City Councilmember who signed the letter urging Escondido to end the ICE contract.

Corrina Contreras

Vista City Councilmember who signed the letter urging Escondido to end the ICE contract.

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What they’re saying

“City leaders are being called to reduce harm from masked federal agents acting without accountability.”

— Eric Joyce, Oceanside City Councilmember (Sowing Seeds of Dignity)

“We are sending this letter today to the Escondido City Council because the continued use of the Escondido firing range only magnifies the harmful impacts of ICE, not just in the city of Escondido, but throughout the county. We are urging the (Escondido) council to terminate the agreements for the benefit of all our constituents in the county.”

— Corrina Contreras, Vista City Councilmember (Sowing Seeds of Dignity)

What’s next

The Escondido City Council is scheduled to review and discuss the ICE contract at their meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, where public comment and a decision on the agreement are expected.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the growing political tensions over ICE's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, with local officials across San Diego County pushing back against contracts and partnerships that they believe enable harmful impacts on immigrant communities. The outcome of the Escondido City Council's decision could set a precedent for other cities grappling with similar issues.