News & Commentary

The following testimony outlines the ACLU-SDIC's support for the expansion of the Immigrant Legal Defense Program to include unaccompanied minors. This testimony was delivered before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors by ACLU-SDIC Senior Policy Advocate Branden C. Sigua on September 9. 2025.

The following testimony outlines the ACLU-SDIC’s support of the Immigrant Legal Defense Program, LGBTQ housing services and budget transparency. This testimony was delivered before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors by ACLU-SDIC Senior Policy Advocate Branden C. Sigua on June 3, 2025.

The following prepared testimony urges the San Diego Sheriff’s Office to stop all collaboration with ICE and to fully adopt the county’s sanctuary policy. This testimony was delivered at the 2025 TRUTH Act forum by ACLU-SDIC Senior Organizer Jeffrey Karahamuheto on April 22, 2025.

The following prepared testimony outlines the ACLU-SDIC's neutral position on and calls for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to take specific actions in response to a board letter regarding the Immigrants' Rights Legal Defense Program.

The following prepared testimony urges the El Cajon City Council to oppose a proposed resolution to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. This testimony was delivered by ACLU-SDIC Interim Managing Legal Director Julia Gomez on March 25, 2025.

On March 19, 2025, the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLU-SDIC) sent a public comment letter to the Calexico City Council in opposition to the city’s proposed camping ban. The ACLU-SDIC, along with community partners and volunteers, attended the meeting and highlighted portions of the letter, specifically the legal and policy concerns of such a ban. We proposed a Housing First approach, which focuses on getting people into their own affordable, permanent housing, as opposed to the punitive approach of a camping ban. Unfortunately, the city council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance, and it will go into effect in 30 days.

The following prepared testimony urges the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to oppose proposed options to amend or keep the county’s camping ban ordinance. This testimony was delivered by ACLU-SDIC Advancing Racial & Economic Justice Policy Advocate Anjleena Kour Sahni on March 11, 2025.

The following prepared testimony urges the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to oppose repealing the county's sanctuary policy. This testimony was delivered by ACLU-SDIC Immigrants' Rights Senior Policy Advocate Felicia Gomez on March 11, 2025.

The following public comment urges the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to remove and amend part of the proposed disciplinary guidelines for police certification actions. This public comment was given on March 5, 2025, by Advocacy and Legal Director Christie Love Hill.