Newsletter: San Diego's growing legacy of supporting immigrants
Plus, what to do in San Diego this weekend
Greetings everyone, buenas and bom dia!
San Diego now has an artistic connection to the Vatican — and one more reminder of its growing legacy of solidarity with immigrants.
On International Migrants Day — Dec. 18 — the University of San Diego revealed a bronze sculpture outside its Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies building on the western edge of campus. The sculpture is a smaller version of one commissioned by Pope Francis and installed in St. Peter's Square in 2019 that depicts migrants from different parts of the world and time periods in history together on a boat. Both sculptures by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz are titled “Angels Unawares.”
“As a Catholic university, one of our most important commitments is to human dignity, the dignity of all people,” said Michael Lovette-Colyer, vice president of mission integration for the university. “This is a powerful expression of that.”
He said the university's president saw the original sculpture when he was in Rome and told staff about how much the piece touched him when he returned to campus. The university looked into what it would take to bring a version to campus but decided against spending the money until an anonymous donor stepped forward to cover the bill.
Because the sculpture went up at the end of finals last semester, many students may not have noticed it yet, but campus tours already make a stop at the sculpture, where on Tuesday several paused to take pictures.
Lovette-Colyer said he doesn't see the sculpture as a political statement but rather as a statement of values. He noted that the university commissioned the piece with the help of an anonymous donor before the last election.
Still, he said, a Latina student told him at the blessing for the sculpture with Bishop Michael Pham back in December that she was very moved to see her school expressing its values so clearly.
Many San Diegans have been expressing similar values over the past year through grassroots organizing work from community patrols to court accompaniment.
Pham, a former refugee himself, has been a key player in organizing support for San Diego's immigrant communities since President Donald Trump came back into office almost a year ago. He and several Catholic priests working with him have led faith community members at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, where they stand watch in hallways and courtrooms to support immigrants at hearings and check-in appointments.
I have frequently seen these faith leaders praying with family members in the hallway outside of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. They, along with volunteers from the collective Detention Resistance, help people in these difficult situations feel less alone.
As I stood with a group of them outside the federal building on a recent morning while they celebrated a community member who had walked out of the ICE office undetained, a lawyer stopped to speak with the group.
Almost in tears, he thanked them for their daily efforts and reminded them of the importance of their work even if they have no control over the outcomes that they're witnessing.
During the first Trump administration, San Diegans similarly stepped up to volunteer when asylum seekers suddenly found themselves on the streets instead of being guided by the federal government to their final destinations. Through organizing that grew out of the San Diego Rapid Response Network — a collaboration born in a church meeting when Trump first came into office — the community created a migrant shelter whose methods became an example for other parts of the country.
Already in the second Trump administration, the San Diego community has done the same. Unión del Barrio's community patrols have spread to other cities. One volunteer with Detention Resistance told the audience at our recent community conversation on immigration that their peers in northern California were able to respond better when ICE began using similar strategies there because San Diego's volunteers had been documenting and publicizing what was happening here.
I don't know what 2026 will bring in terms of immigration news, but I anticipate that San Diegans will continue to give their time to help.
— Kate Morrissey
*After writing this, we learned about an ICE officer shooting and killing a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday. San Diegans gathered downtown Wednesday night in protest.
San Diegans protested Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions and the killing of 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis during a demonstration in San Diego on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Photos provided by Jonathan Chang
Daylight accomplished so much in just 9 months of publishing. Here is a look at the coverage we did in 2025 through our photojournalism.
— Brittany Cruz-Fejeran
From a 5k run to support building a Boys & Girls Club of Kumeyaay Nation Wellness to protests against federal immigration enforcement, here’s what’s happening in San Diego this week.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Other news
Hundreds gathered at Waterfront Park on Saturday to protest U.S. military action in Venezuela, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. NBC7 and ABC10 put together videos about how San Diegans are feeling about the situation.
The city of San Diego is now charging for parking at Balboa Park. Residents can apply for permits using an online portal. Two city council members are requesting to temporarily suspend resident parking fees because of issues with the rollout.
The minimum wage increased in San Diego to $17.75 on Jan. 1.
The city of Imperial is suing to stop the construction of a massive data center that is meant to power artificial intelligence, KPBS reported.
The National Lawyer's Guild put together an explainer on protesting and documenting ICE activity given an uptick in claims of assault on federal agents.
A new rule went into effect on Christmas Eve from the U.S. Postal Service that could mean mail postmarks indicate a date sometime after the service received the piece of mail. TLDR: Send your bills and voting ballots early to avoid issues.
CalMatters reported that tortillas in California must now contain folic acid to help prevent birth defects.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 8
ICE Out of San Diego: A coalition of local organizations is hosting a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity every Thursday in front of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, which holds the San Diego ICE Field Office. RSVP online. 10 a.m., 880 Front St., San Diego, CA 92101
Jan. 9
Lesbian Cafe: The San Diego LGBT Community Center is hosting a welcoming, inclusive and joyful discussion group tailored for lesbian women of all ages. Email women@thecentersd.org for more information. 10:30 a.m. - noon, 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
Jan. 10
Winter Puzzle Swap: The University Heights Community Association is hosting a winter puzzle swap at the University Heights Library. Guests can bring as many puzzles as they want to swap for an equal number of puzzles, and there will be a communal puzzle table for folks to connect with light refreshments before and after the swap. 10 - 11 a.m., University Heights Library, 4193 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92103
Playground Meet-up: San Diego Families for Justice is hosting a playground meetup for families to connect at Bub Williamson Park in Vista. 10 a.m., Bub Williamson Park, 530 Grapevine Lane, Vista, CA 92083
Fragmentos Del Barrio: Exhibit Panel Discussion: The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center is hosting a panel discussion focused on its latest exhibition “Fragmentos Del Barrio,” featuring the work of artist and muralist Ramses Noriega. During the panel, guests will hear from Noriega, curator Rafael Barrientos, museum founder Josie Talamantez and Professor Denise Lugo. Guests can enjoy light refreshments before the discussion. 1 - 4 p.m., Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, 1960 National Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
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