Sheriff Kelly Martinez has blocked ICE from using county training facilities but will continue to allow CBP access to ensure border operations remain efficient.
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez has officially announced that her department will restrict U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from utilizing local firing ranges and tactical training facilities. This decision marks a significant shift in how the county manages its relationships with federal law enforcement agencies. While the move aligns with recent pressures from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to end lease agreements with both ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sheriff has drawn a clear line regarding the latter agency.
The Board of Supervisors had previously instructed the county's chief administrative officer to terminate existing facility agreements with both federal entities. However, Sheriff Martinez has opted to maintain CBP’s access to the Otay Range, citing operational necessity and the potential for severe regional disruption. Her stance highlights the complex tension between local policy directives and the practical requirements of maintaining efficient border operations in one of the busiest transit corridors in the United States.
In defending her decision to keep CBP’s training access intact, Sheriff Martinez pointed to the staggering volume of daily border crossings. Statistics provided rts of entry every single day. This transit volume includes approximately 90,000 vehicles, 50,000 pedestrians, and 5,500 commercial trucks. Any disruption to the staffing levels of CBP officers, she argued, would have immediate and cascading effects on the regional economy.
The sheriff emphasized that CBP officers must undergo mandatory classroom instruction and firearms qualification to maintain their certification. If these officers were forced to travel to distant locations for training due to a loss of access to local facilities, they would be pulled away from their primary duties at inspection lanes for extended periods. Such a reduction in on-site personnel could lead to significant bottlenecks, extended wait times for travelers, and potential delays in the movement of commercial goods across the border.
Beyond the immediate staffing concerns, the sheriff expressed worry regarding the environmental and logistical fallout of reduced border efficiency. Martinez warned that if border waits increase, the resulting surge in idling vehicles would inevitably lead to higher levels of pollution. This concern is not limited to the immediate San Diego area; the impact could potentially ripple into neighboring Imperial County, where some officers also rely on the Otay Range for their mandatory training requirements.
Currently, there are few viable alternatives for CBP to conduct this essential training. The sheriff’s office noted that other regional facilities, such as the ranges at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, have limited availability and cannot compensate for the loss of the Otay site. he broader community and ensure that regional commerce remains fluid.
While the sheriff has prioritized the functional needs of CBP, the overall situation regarding federal use of county property remains fluid. The sheriff’s office has indicated that it is actively exploring future training options that might eventually mitigate the need for these federal agencies to rely on county-owned land. This reflects an ongoing effort to balance local political mandates with the pragmatic, daily requirements of federal agencies operating within the jurisdiction.
As the county government continues to evaluate its contractual relationships, the sheriff’s office remains focused on its core responsibility to serve all individuals who live in or travel through San Diego County. The current arrangement serves as a temporary compromise, ensuring that mandatory federal training continues without sacrificing the operational integrity of the ports of entry that are vital to the region’s prosperity.