The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has approved a new initiative aimed at training small business owners and their employees about their rights in the event of immigration raids. The vote, which took place on Tuesday, resulted in a 4-1 decision in favor of the program, following increased concerns regarding the activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The program’s inception was largely influenced by a high-profile raid at Buona Forchetta, a well-known restaurant in South Park, which sparked national attention. Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer expressed her motivation for developing the proposal as a response to a growing climate of fear among small business owners after several arrests were made throughout the community.
Since President Donald Trump began his second term, the number of ICE arrests has surged, far surpassing figures from the previous two years. In a statement from Lawson-Remer’s office, it was highlighted that the county Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement will oversee the new Small Business Know Your Rights program, which is designed to support vulnerable business owners.
This initiative includes multilingual training sessions that will provide small businesses with essential information on how to legally respond during workplace enforcement actions. Participants will gain access to various tools, checklists, and sample protocols aimed at preventing legal issues and minimizing disruptions to their operations.
According to data from the Deportation Data Project, there has been a significant increase in undocumented individuals being arrested without prior criminal charges. In January, only 64% of ICE arrestees had a criminal history; by June, that number rose to over 72%. Lawson-Remer noted that the uptick in ICE activities is creating instability within the local economy and workplaces, reinforcing the need for the program to educate individuals on their rights.
Lawson-Remer affirmed, “Small businesses shouldn’t have to fear being shut down by government overreach if they have played by the rules.” She emphasized the focus of the initiative on protecting constitutional rights, upholding due process, and ensuring that federal actions do not lead to economic instability in San Diego County.
Within the region, small businesses represent nearly 380,000 entities, many of which are immigrant-owned and operating under precarious financial conditions. Lawson-Remer articulated that her proposal prioritizes workplace stability, legal compliance, and safeguarding the dignity of working families amid a rise in ICE enforcement actions.
Despite the program’s approval, it met dissent from Supervisor Jim Desmond, who voted against the initiative. While he acknowledged the importance of individuals knowing their rights, he expressed concerns about the tactics used by ICE, which he argued are necessary for the safety of law enforcement officers. He referenced cases where undocumented migrants with serious criminal histories have been arrested.
Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, whose district includes the site of the Buona Forchetta raid, contended that ICE’s actions are disconnected from the community’s safety, recalling the chaos that ensued during the raid, which prompted the evacuation of children from a nearby daycare.
Another supervisor, Monica Montgomery Steppe, echoed Aguirre’s sentiments, describing ICE’s use of masked agents and unmarked vehicles as unsettling and inappropriate. Supervisor Joel Anderson emphasized the need to ensure all employers are incorporated into the training program, stating that while compliance is essential, taking advantage of undocumented workers is unacceptable. He concluded by calling for a balanced approach, aiming to protect businesses playing by the rules while holding wrongdoers accountable.
image source from：timesofsandiego
