Escondido Faces Backlash Over DHS Shooting Range Contract

Community members call for city to cancel agreement allowing federal immigration agents to train at local police facility.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Escondido city leaders are facing growing criticism over a contract that allows the Department of Homeland Security, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, to use a city-owned police shooting range for training. Dozens of protesters gathered outside City Hall and spoke out against the agreement during a council meeting, arguing it sends the wrong message to the community.

Why it matters

The contract has sparked outrage among Escondido residents who are concerned about the increasingly aggressive actions of federal immigration officers. Critics say the agreement undermines community trust and prioritizes the needs of federal agencies over the safety and wellbeing of local residents.

The details

The contract permits DHS personnel, including ICE agents, to use Escondido's 22-acre police training facility located just outside city limits. The agreement was first established in 2013 and has been extended twice, most recently in January 2026. Opponents argue the current political climate makes the contract unacceptable, pointing to what they describe as increasingly aggressive and sometimes deadly actions by federal immigration officers.

  • The contract was first established in 2013.
  • The contract was extended in 2024.
  • The contract was most recently extended in January 2026.

The players

Escondido Police Department

The local police department that owns and operates the 22-acre training facility used by DHS and ICE agents under the contract.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that has contracted with the city of Escondido to use the police training facility for its personnel, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Amalia Martinez

A spokesperson for the Escondido Democratic Club who questioned the city's reasoning for renewing the contract.

Elias Turner

A North County resident who expressed frustration with the agreement, saying "We don't want to be ending up like Minnesota."

Alondra Alvarez

A community educator with Universidad Popular who said the agreement sends the wrong message to the community.

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What they’re saying

“One of the arguments that the police chief has made is that this contract's been in place since 2013, but this is a different ICE than 2013. This is a different administration from 2013, so that argument doesn't fly. We're not cool with that argument at all.”

— Amalia Martinez, Escondido Democratic Club spokesperson (NBC San Diego)

“It's a frustrating situation, I think, for everybody in North County, and we don't want to be ending up like Minnesota.”

— Elias Turner, North County resident (NBC San Diego)

“The messages that it sends very clearly is they dont care about the community, they dont care after the safety of the communitym, and they dont prioritize the fear, the very real fear this community feels every day.”

— Alondra Alvarez, Community educator, Universidad Popular (NBC San Diego)

What’s next

Escondido Police Chief Ken Plunkett is expected to present information about the contract to the city council during an upcoming meeting.

The takeaway

This contract has sparked outrage among Escondido residents who feel it undermines community trust and prioritizes the needs of federal agencies over the safety and wellbeing of local residents. The debate highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement and the role of local governments in supporting federal initiatives.