Newsletter: Immigration courts in San Diego remain open during shut down
ICE, customs officers and military troops are all working without pay as well.
Greetings, everyone, buenas and bom dia,
The federal government is entering its second week of shut down, but outside the federal building, much appears business as usual.
That's because many agencies related to immigration — including the courts — remain open despite the lack of pay for federal workers. During a shut down, the federal government determines which workers are essential and which to furlough until Congress passes an appropriations bill to restart funding.
In the past, immigration courts have closed during federal government shut downs — except for the cases of people held in detention centers. During a shut down in 2019 under the first Trump administration, a lone security guard stood in front of the closed court doors to tell people who showed up for their hearings that they would have to come back another day.
But, on Wednesday morning, the court on the fourth floor of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building operated much as it has in recent months. Judge Olga Attia heard children's cases, which are typically scheduled together. Volunteers and members of the faith community stood in the hallway, ready to document if Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers chose to detain someone leaving a courtroom.
On the second floor of the federal building, 11 people sat in the waiting room for the ICE appointments office. Occasionally, officers came out into the hallway, where volunteers observed their activity as well.
For more than a month, ICE has been putting ankle monitors on many who show up for immigration court hearings by sending them down to the second floor offices. According to a volunteer, who isn't being named out of retaliation concerns, sometimes the officers send someone who showed up for a court hearing to the second floor to detain them there instead of outside the courtroom. ICE officers also sometimes attach ankle monitors to or detain people who have been showing up to check-in appointments with the agency for years when they come for their next visits.
On Wednesday, an officer warned a man leaving an appointment that he needed to speak with his attorney and that he was at risk of being detained. If the man didn't show up for his next appointment in January, the officer said, officials would come to his home to arrest him.
In email blasts, the Department of Homeland Security has emphasized that ICE officers are working without pay during the shut down. Essential workers generally get back pay once the government reopens. ICE did not respond to my request for comment.
On Monday, Shawn Vandiver of #AfghanEvac photographed an ICE officer wearing a t-shirt at work at the federal building that says “Consider Choosing Violence.” The shirt is from a now-closed apparel company called Warrior 12 whose messaging celebrated guns, dads and law enforcement officers.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review, the agency that runs immigration courts, also did not respond.
Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry and Border Patrol agents are also working without pay.
“Rest assured that @CBP continues to report for duty and protect America 24/7/365 regardless of the failures in the Legislative Branch,” CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said in an emailed statement.
Congress passes budget legislation through a multi-step process that involves authorization and appropriations bills.
Congress needs to pass an appropriations bill in order to reopen the government. The “Big Beautiful Bill” that authorized funding increases for ICE and other immigration agencies was a budget reconciliation bill, not an appropriations bill.
“The authorization gives them the authority, the permission, but the appropriation actually gives them the money,” explained David Boone, president and CEO of San Diego Military Advisory Council.
For military troops in San Diego and the civilians and contractors who work with them, the shut down also means financial stress.
Military members haven't missed a paycheck yet, but if Congress doesn't act in time for their next payday on Oct. 15, their bank accounts will begin to feel the effects of the shut down, according to Boone.
Many civilian employees have been furloughed, Boone said, and troops won't get paid until the government reopens. Some contractors may receive stop work orders if their contract isn't already funded. Meanwhile, military members are having to fill in the gaps.
“It's a very difficult work environment right now,” Boone said. “Not only are you not getting paid, but you're being asked to do things that you may not be trained to do, and you're probably having to work a lot of hours because a lot of the people that were there aren't there anymore.”
His organization teamed up with several other nonprofits to create the San Diego Emergency Action Group to help support military and other affected groups. The San Diego Military Advisory Council has a resource page that lists available resources for people who are furloughed or missing paychecks from the shutdown.
Travelers and airport workers are also feeling the effects of the shut down, which has exacerbated the shortage of air traffic controllers nationwide. The San Diego tower had to take over guiding flights heading to the Burbank Airport earlier this week because there was no one available to work there.
The American Federation of Government Employees, National Federation of Federal Employees and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers did not respond to my messages asking about the shutdown's effects on their workers.
— Kate Morrissey
Cyclists watching for ICE at school
A collective known as the San Diego Bike Brigade is training bicyclists and e-bike riders to watch for signs of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near schools. The effort comes after ICE already detained several parents near schools in the county. The group will host a training on Oct. 11 at Malcolm X Library.
— Kate Morrissey
Hundreds voiced their outrage at the ongoing genocide in Gaza at the Rise Up for Gaza demonstration on Sunday.
— Brittany Cruz-Fejeran
Indigenous Stewardship at San Diego Climate Week
At the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, tribal organizers led Honoring Indigenous Knowledge for Land Conservation, a San Diego Climate Week event focused on traditional land care and collaboration. The day featured Indigenous performers, panels on cultural burns and conversations about how climate action begins with listening and respect for Indigenous leadership.
— Lauren J. Mapp
A new study says intense school segregation by race and class in the state is worsening, and it’s happening faster than just about anywhere else in the country.
— Mark Kreidler, Capital & Main
This week, San Diego has a food distribution event and fall festival in City Heights, a community night market in Oceanside and the return of She Fest on El Cajon Boulevard.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Other news
Ballots went out this week for the November special election. Voters can learn more about Proposition 50 through the California Voter Information Guide. The proposition would redraw congressional districts in California to increase the likelihood of electing Democrats in an effort to offset measures already taken in Texas to increase Republican representation.
ICE released an Afghan man who previously worked with the U.S. military after detaining him when he came for his court hearing earlier this year, according to KPBS.
San Diego County programs designed to help people eat healthier options are facing federal funding cuts, inewsource reported.
KPBS reported that Chula Vista police are using artificial intelligence to write their reports.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 10
Café con Pan: The Chicano Federation is hosting a community event to share how it’s supporting families, small business owners and communities over coffee and pan dulce. Email vmacedo@chicanofed.org to RSVP. 10 a.m., Chicano Federation Resource Center, 3180 University Ave., Ste. 110, San Diego, CA 92104
Food Distribution: ASCENDtials, City Heights Farmers Market, San Diego Rescue Mission and Activist San Diego are co-hosting a food distribution event. The afternoon will include clothing and plant propagation swaps, and the group is looking for volunteers to bag food and distribute items. Sign up to volunteer online. Noon to 1 p.m., Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 4455 Wightman St., San Diego, CA 92105Good Food Day: Project New Village is hosting a gathering at The Promenade at Encanto Village that includes The People’s Produce Mobile Farmers Market, a Grab and Grow garden workshop and bake sale. 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., 6315-6325 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Community Night Market: The Silver Hippies is hosting its second community night market in Oceanside. There will be a live DJ, vintage finds, local makers, food and drinks. 6 - 10 p.m., 325 S Coast HWY, Oceanside, CA 92054
Oct. 11
Fall Festival: City Farmer's Nursery is hosting its Fall Festival to celebrate the autumn harvest. The day includes zucchini and pumpkin contests for pre-registered growers, games and prizes for kids, music and food by Nate’s Garden Grill, local art, visits with farm animals. Parking is free at New Creation Church on Altadena Avenue. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., City Farmer's Nursery, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
San Diego Coffee Festival: The Official San Diego Coffee Festival will include lots of food, music and coffee from specialty roasters. Tickets are available online for different sessions at ranging prices. Oct. 11-12, Broadway Pier, 1000 N Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92132
She Fest: After splitting from San Diego Pride earlier this year, She Fest is hosting its flagship event at Pop-Up Winona, an event space on El Cajon Boulevard. The festival includes food, vendor booths and workshops on subjects like harm reduction and grief release. There will also be musical performances by Poor Thing, The Band Cope, Bishop Decker, Saint Misty, Daddy and Anna Ballew. Noon - 4 p.m., 4951 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
Chicano Park Museum Anniversary: The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center will host a celebration for its third anniversary. The event includes music by Wicho Your Neighborhood DJ, performances by La Rondalla Amerindia De Aztlan and BocaFloja and food by Taqueria Los Chuchys. 3 - 7 p.m., 1960 National Ave., San Diego CA 92113
ME VOY PA'L PUEBLO: Paola Villaseñor is presenting her solo exhibition at the Front Gallery with new bodies of work inspired by the transborder experience, the current political climate and her recent move to Tijuana. Oct. 11, 5 - 7 p.m., The Front Arte Cultura, 147 W San Ysidro Blvd, San Ysidro, CA 92173
Beautiful Facts: The event hosted by San Diego Writers, Ink will include readings from two SoCal writers Lisa Alvarez and Emily Greenberg, as well as a performance from Cindy Lee Berryhill. It'll take place at the Inspirations Gallery on the second floor of Barracks 16 in Liberty Station. For more information, call (949) 235-8193 or visit writeyourstorynow.org. Admission is free. 7 - 9 p.m. 2730 Historic Decatur Rd., Ste. 204, San Diego, CA 92106
Pinktober: Tranqui Foundation is hosting its seventh annual breast cancer awareness salsa and bachata fundraiser at La Vie Dance Studios. The event includes a social hour, dance class, silent auction, social dancing and dance performance. Tickets start at $20 presale. 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., 1255 West Morena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110
Oct. 12
Rockin' Robin Music Festival & Fundraiser: Robin’s Nest Rescue — an animal sanctuary in Ramona — is hosting its annual fundraiser with musical performances on two stages, alpaca fiber spinning and food trucks. The day will include opportunities to meet and greet the more than 23 rescue animals on the ranch, which include pigs, quarter and mini horses, alpacas, lambs and tortoises. Tickets start at $35 general admission, $10 for youth. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 16603 John Henry Lane, Ramona, CA 92065
Multicultural Festival Day: The Jacobs Center is partnering with several organizations, including Urban Collective Project to host a festival at Market Creek Plaza with live performances, local vendors, arts and crafts, raffles and giveaways. This event is family-friendly. It is free but online registration is required. Oct. 12, 1 - 6 p.m., 336 Euclid Ave., San Diego CA 92114
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