The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved the Civil Liberties Enforcement and Accountability Rules (CLEAR) ordinance to restrict federal immigration agents from accessing non-public county spaces.

“Your rights don’t end when you walk into a County building, and this ordinance makes sure of that,” said Supervisor Lawson-Remer, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, who proposed the CLEAR ordinance. “San Diego is drawing a bright line — our non-public spaces are places you should find help, not handcuffs. Whether you’re bringing your child to a health clinic, applying for food assistance, or meeting with a public defender, you should never have to wonder if unidentified agents are lurking in the hallways.”

The approved CLEAR ordinance in San Diego County comes as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are facing increasing scrutiny in Minnesota for entering non-public areas, homes, and small businesses without a warrant signed by a judge and arresting people.  

San Diego County’s CLEAR ordinance restricts federal immigration agents from accessing non-public county spaces without a judicial warrant. It enhances transparency and protects residents from unauthorized, discriminatory enforcement in County buildings. 

Key outcomes of the ordinance include:

• Restriction of Federal Access: Limits ICE and other federal agents' access to non-public areas of county property (e.g., benefit application offices, maintenance yards) unless a judge-signed warrant is presented.
• Accountability and Transparency: Requires an annual public report on Department of Homeland Security activity and any interaction or cooperation with the County Sheriff.
• Protection of Public Services: Supports residents to access county services—such as health care, marriage licenses, and assistance—without fear of intimidation or detainment.
• Contractor Compliance: Mandates that county contractors, grantees, and leaseholders adhere to these same civil rights protections.
• Increased Protections: Incorporates multilingual signage to inform the public of their rights.

The ordinance supports efforts to ensure that County resources are not used for immigration raids or to target individuals based on protected characteristics. It goes into effect in 30 days.