Newsletter: The debate over sharing Escondido's gun range with ICE
Plus, how to observe Ramadan in San Diego
Councilmembers in Escondido will discuss on Wednesday the city police department's ongoing contract that allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to use its gun range.
Contract information posted on a government website shows that the city received $67,500 for a contract signed Jan. 14, 2026, for the Homeland Security Investigations branch of ICE to use the firing range 20 days a year for 200 agents split into groups of 20. The federal government has options to continue the contract until January 2029.
A second government site shows that the city has received over $100,000 in contracts from ICE for the shooting range since 2022. L.A. Taco first reported on the existence of the contract in January, and Mayor Dane White told the outlet that the contract has been in place since at least 2014.
When I contacted the mayor and city council members, only one responded — Consuelo Martinez, who represents district one. She said that she hadn't seen the contract and that the mayor had placed the issue on the city agenda for Feb. 25. (The city hadn't yet posted the agenda publicly by Daylight's publication deadline.)
“I am awaiting more information,” Martinez said.
Community members are pushing back, with one resident starting a petition to end the contract and activists hosting protests throughout February.
Lilian Serrano, director of the Southern Border Communities Coalition and longtime North County immigrant rights advocate, said she's not surprised the city is contracting with ICE given its history.
“The fact that city leadership is claiming they didn't know, that's concerning,” Serrano said.
She said she and other community members have repeatedly told city leaders that any appearance of working with ICE leads to mistrust.
“There are so many stories of families in Escondido who were separated in previous city efforts to collaborate with DHS,” Serrano said, using the abbreviation for the Department of Homeland Security. “That is the collective memory that news like this contract triggers in the community. It's going to take the city of Escondido more effort to hopefully heal from those wounds.”
Serrano said city leaders should listen to local residents’ concerns and use the shooting range as a step toward taking a stand against immigration enforcement in their community.
— Kate Morrissey
Undocumented pregnant women are afraid to leave their homes, ICE is leaving “death cards,” and San Diego elected officials are trying to investigate the local detention center. Here's what happened last week in immigration news.
— Kate Morrissey
What Ramadan means to San Diegans
Ramadan began this week, and San Diego’s Muslim community is marking the holy month with fasting from dawn to sunset, nightly prayers and community iftars. Community members shared what the holy month means to their families, and offered guidance for neighbors, classmates and coworkers who want to show support during the month.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Ramadan began on Tuesday, and San Diego’s Muslim community is honoring the holy month of fasting, prayer and reflection through donation drives, youth talks, community iftars and bilingual storytimes.
— Lauren J. Mapp
This week features events honoring San Diego’s cultural, ethnic and overall diversity while advocating for more welcoming and equitable communities, with multi-day festivals to connection-building activities and educational events for Black History Month, Ramadan, Lunar New Year, in addition to the immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities.
— Sam Barney-Gibbs
Other news
The city of San Diego sued a business that buys and flips homes, accusing it of illegal development, inewsource reported.
A Congressional stalemate over immigration enforcement tactics has partially shut down the government, affecting Homeland Security employees. KPBS looked at who's affected in San Diego.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited San Diego on Friday, where residents greeted her with protests. Inewsource reported that the department did not allow its reporters to attend Noem's press conference at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 20
Tattoo Flash Fundraiser: Tattoo artist Mari is offering various arm, leg and back flash tattoos with proceeds benefiting Familias Reunidas Immigration Bond Fund. Only walk-ins are available. 9 a.m., 4475 Gresham St., San Diego, CA 92109
Freedom Quilt Fabric Mosaic: Toshwerks is guiding community members to make a Freedom Quilt at three San Diego Public Libraries locations inspired by those associated with slavery and the Underground Railroad. Materials are provided. 4 - 5 p.m., City Heights/Weingart Branch Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
San Diego Tết Festival: The Vietnamese American Youth Alliance is hosting its 21st annual festival to celebrate Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese New Year). The three-day festival includes live performances by headliners by Thái Tài and Bảo Hân, taiko drumming, a freestyle dance battle, petting zoo, cultural village, carnival rides and a Miss Vietnam San Diego pageant. See the full schedule online. Feb. 20-22, Naval Training Center Park, 2455 Cushing Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Feb. 21
Free Yoga by the Bay: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park hosts monthly, all levels yoga lessons led by Viktoria Talbot from Fit Athletic. Attendees need to bring their own mats, water and sunscreen. Register online. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Balboa Park San Diego Chinese New Year Fair: The House of China is hosting a Chinese New Year fair in Balboa Park at the International Cottages with lion dances, cultural food, crafts and Chinese calligraphy. The two-day celebration includes performances by Naruwan Taiko, Xingjian Dance Studios and Youth of We Chinese in America, as well as a variety of food and small business vendors. Feb. 21-22, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., 2191 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 22
Hot Valentine Hike: Hot Queer Hikes is leading a LGBTQ+ friendly Valentine hike at Scripps Meander Coastal Trail in La Jolla. 10 a.m., Scripps Coastal Meander Trailhead, La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
North San Diego County Black Festival: The Cultural Festivals Student Committee at El Camino High School is hosting its fifth annual festival to celebrate Black History Month in Oceanside. The event features an artist showcase, talent show, musical performances, games, food court and fashion show. Register to attend online. 2 - 7 p.m., El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057
HEAL Palestine: HEAL Palestine — a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Palestinian children and families — is hosting a community Ramadan Iftar at Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine. Tickets are available online and cost $50 for adults or $30 for children. 5 p.m., 5915 Balboa Ave., San Diego, CA 92111
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