During the recent County of San Diego Board of Supervisors meeting on April 22, 2025, the Truth Act Community Forum highlighted significant concerns regarding the intersection of local law enforcement and federal immigration policies. The forum served as a platform for community members to voice their frustrations and demand accountability from Sheriff Kelly Martinez, who has been criticized for her collaboration with federal immigration authorities despite a county policy prohibiting such actions without a judicial warrant.

The backdrop of the discussion was the county board's Policy L2, passed in December 2024, which restricts the use of county resources for federal immigration enforcement. Community advocates, including Patricia Mondragon from Alliance San Diego, expressed deep concern over the sheriff's apparent disregard for this policy. Mondragon emphasized the urgency for Sheriff Martinez to reaffirm her commitment to the safety of San Diego residents, particularly in light of reports of U.S. citizens facing deportation threats.

The forum also revisited troubling issues from the previous year, particularly the appearance of U.S. citizens on the 2023 transfer report. Questions were raised about the sheriff's office's processes for determining citizenship status, with conflicting statements from officials adding to community distrust. The ongoing pattern of U.S. citizens being included in immigration enforcement actions has raised alarms about due process and the treatment of individuals within the system.

Recent media reports further fueled these concerns, including a case of a San Diego resident facing deportation and an asylum seeker who has seemingly vanished from immigration records. These incidents underscore the critical need for transparency and adherence to local policies designed to protect residents from unjust immigration enforcement practices.

As the community grapples with these issues, the meeting underscored the importance of holding local law enforcement accountable to county policies and ensuring that the rights of all residents are upheld. The discussions at the Truth Act Community Forum signal a growing demand for change and a commitment to safeguarding the community against federal overreach in immigration matters.