Before outlining specific policies, I want to be clear about something more fundamental.

It is wrong to have masked, unidentified federal agents operating in our neighborhoods and detaining people on our streets. Everything else comes second. 

We have seen what happened in Minnesota — where federal immigration operations have resulted in the deaths of civilians and sparked mass protests — and we must all be unequivocal in our opposition to the violence and loss of life we are seeing when these operations are conducted without clear accountability or respect for civil liberties.

For months, Encinitas and communities across North County have experienced frequent and aggressive immigration enforcement activity — including incidents near an elementary school in my district. These actions raise serious concerns about due process, public safety, and basic human decency.

The response from our local leadership has been muted and, at times, troubling. When constitutional rights are at stake, tepid statements are not enough. Our community is not “divided” on whether masked agents should be roaming our streets and questioning people based on how they look. And our commitment to due process should never be contingent on fear of losing federal funding.

Let me be clear: our neighbors’ constitutional rights do not come second to federal dollars.

I support true local control. I support our Sheriff’s Department and their role in keeping our community safe by addressing real crime. What I do not support is the use of fear, intimidation, and unchecked federal power against members of our immigrant community.

What we are witnessing from the Trump administration should offend anyone who loves this country and respects the Constitution. At every level of government, we need leaders who are willing to say so plainly.