Photo: San Diego City and County Administration Building, by Tony Webster, Wikimedia
San Diego is not an official sanctuary city but has been listed as a “sanctuary jurisdiction” by the federal government, which city leaders dispute. San Diego County and several local cities are on the list due to their immigration policies and perceived non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. City officials view the designation as a political tactic and have joined lawsuits to protect federal funding.
Both the city of San Diego and San Diego County are designated as “sanctuary jurisdictions” by the U.S. Department of Justice because of policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This designation is controversial, and while the city and county have local policies that limit this cooperation, local leaders have stated they will comply with federal and state laws.
• San Diego County:
The county was included on the DOJ’s list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” in August 2025 due to policies that the department claims impede federal immigration enforcement.
• City of San Diego:
The city is also on the list. The federal government considers certain local policies to be in “noncompliance” with federal statutes.
• Local Policies:
Both the city and county have policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration agencies, such as prohibiting local law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on their immigration status or honoring certain federal detainers.
• Controversy and Compliance:
The designation is controversial, with some local leaders expressing surprise and stating the city will comply with state and federal laws despite the designation.
