ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA — Residents in this San Diego County city are pressuring local officials to end a contract allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to train at a municipal police gun range, as debates over federal immigration enforcement intensify nationwide.
ICE officers have trained at the outdoor range for more than a decade, but the arrangement drew renewed scrutiny following President Donald Trump’s expanded immigration crackdown and recent fatal shootings involving federal agents. Protesters gathered outside the Escondido Police Department in recent weeks, urging city leaders to sever ties with ICE.
“We don’t want ICE anywhere near Escondido or fraternizing with the police,” said resident Richard Garner during a rally.
Under a 2024 agreement renewed this year, the city receives $22,500 annually for up to three years to allow ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations unit to use the range. Police Capt. Erik Witholt said the department does not train alongside ICE and that the facility is used by 22 agencies.
Similar disputes have emerged in Minnesota, New York, and Connecticut, where communities have questioned contracts granting ICE access to local facilities. Escondido’s City Council is scheduled to discuss the agreement Wednesday.
The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on specific training sites, citing security concerns.
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