As immigration raids intensify across Southern California and President Donald Trump invokes military powers to contain protests in Los Angeles, the debate over immigration has surged to the forefront of the political landscape, particularly in South San Diego County. The District 1 Supervisor race is now deeply influenced by this critical issue, just weeks away from the July 1 voting deadline.
Residents like Christine Brady from Chula Vista have expressed their alarm over recent immigration actions. “We’re all talking about this,” she remarked. “The community in general is absolutely horrified by what’s going on.”
The topic became increasingly pressing after a significant Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on two restaurants in the South Park area of San Diego on May 30. This raid marked the beginning of heightened enforcement activities and ensuing violent demonstrations in nearby Los Angeles.
In response to these developments, Democratic candidate Paloma Aguirre, the Mayor of Imperial Beach, quickly addressed the situation by denouncing the South Park raid. She made a campaign stop in the vicinity of the targeted establishments and even reconsidered her previous stance on a contentious county sanctuary policy that was adopted late last year.
Contrastingly, Aguirre’s Republican opponent, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, has taken a more reserved approach. He chose not to comment on the South Park raid and instead focused his campaign on practical matters like budgeting, housing policies, and healthcare.
They are both aware that immigration enforcement falls under federal jurisdiction, limiting the county government’s role. The only notable exception includes the recently established sanctuary policy, which prohibits county employees from assisting in federal deportations, even for immigrants convicted of violent crimes. Additionally, the county manages a legal aid program for immigrants detained federally.
Despite the federal nature of these issues, immigration remains a heated topic within South County, where it is inextricably linked to the local economy and cultural identity. Approximately one-third of South County residents are foreign-born according to U.S. Census data, and the area boasts a regional economy that generates $70 billion in cross-border trade.
Chula Vista City Councilmember Michael Inzunza addressed this connection during a recent council meeting, stating, “You better believe a lot of the motel workers and the people cleaning your gardens and watching after your children — you better believe a lot of them are undocumented. You’re talking about people who want the same American dreams we do.”
Michelle Celleri, the legal rights director at Alliance San Diego, emphasized the pervasive fear among immigrants, especially after the Trump administration’s cessation of legal protections initiated by former President Joe Biden. She noted, “Asylum seekers and other immigrants appearing for court appearances are now at a higher risk of being detained by federal agents.”
Recent social media rumors added to community anxiety, suggesting that ICE would raid churches during Sunday Mass. Although these rumors turned out to be false, many congregants still experienced fear and uncertainty.
Blanca Cinthia Vazquez, a Chula Vista resident who operates a day-care from her home, shared the emotional toll these events are taking on her community. “It’s sad seeing all these people being deported…and families being separated,” she lamented. “I know they’re supposed to be here legally. But they should have had a different way of getting them out. I’m just sad in my heart.”
Latinos represent around two-thirds of District 1’s population, and Democrats significantly outnumber Republicans. However, this does not guarantee that Aguirre’s intensified focus on immigration will translate into electoral success. In the November elections, District 1 voters demonstrated a shift toward more conservative ideologies, according to an analysis by Voice of San Diego and other media groups.
This rightward trend was particularly evident in South County and more so in precincts bordering Mexico that have a high percentage of Latino voters. Several voters in a panel discussion convened by Voice cited insufficient border enforcement as a significant factor in their political alignment shift.
This sentiment is echoed in whispers among some South County Democratic leaders, expressing concerns about the party’s leadership, primarily consisting of more affluent white individuals who may not fully grasp the complexities and sentiments of their constituents, particularly on law enforcement issues.
In a recent primary vote on April 8 for the supervisor position, Aguirre showed strong support in wealthier, more left-leaning neighborhoods, such as South Park. Yet, she faced fierce competition from McCann in border precincts like San Ysidro, where he came within a narrow five percentage points of overtaking her.
Community blogger Susan Heavilin from Bonita, a community just east of Chula Vista, observed a noticeable preference for McCann among local voters. “Though Bonita is roughly 50 percent Latino and one-fifth foreign-born, I’m seeing a lot of signs and hearing a lot of talk about John McCann,” she noted, underscoring McCann’s success in garnering 56 percent of votes in Bonita during the primary.
Residents of Bonita have expressed a desire to avoid what they term “Nora 2.0,” referring to former District 1 Supervisor Nora Vargas. Many found Vargas unpopular for her lack of presence and responsiveness to constituent concerns, despite her identity as a groundbreaking Latina leader.
Blanca Vasquez highlighted the emotional weight of the ongoing immigration debate, stating, “The barrage of immigration news has felt demoralizing. It’s making me not even want to vote,” she explained. “I’ve been praying about it…It’s very heartbreaking.”
As the political race intensifies and the implications of immigration policies weigh heavily on the community, local leaders continue to focus on other pressing issues. For instance, two South County state legislators are pushing forward bills aimed at accelerating housing development and enhancing educational opportunities.
Assemblymember David Alvarez is championing legislation that seeks to prevent last-minute restrictions on approved housing projects while streamlining permitting for public university housing in coastal regions. Meanwhile, State Senator Steve Padilla’s recent bill seeks to expand apprenticeship programs and other career technical education avenues in the state.
In lighter news, students at Mi Escuelita Therapeutic Preschool in Chula Vista are set to celebrate a significant graduation this week. The preschool, run by South Bay Community Services, provides free education and services to preschool-age children from backgrounds of domestic violence and has served 850 families since its inception in 2006.
image source from：https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/10/south-county-report-immigration-takes-center-stage/
