UC San Diego police have begun patrolling the shores of La Jolla and nearby areas as part of a federal initiative aimed at border security. For 20 nights each year, the university’s police officers leave their usual campus duties to engage in surveillance and enforcement activities supported by overtime pay from the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This collaboration is part of a program known as Operation Stonegarden, which allocates approximately $10.9 million annually to several law enforcement agencies across California.
The participation of UC San Diego in Operation Stonegarden has continued across various political administrations, even after California implemented a sanctuary law in 2017 that restricts law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The heightened immigration enforcement measures have led the university to warn its students about the locations of Border Patrol checkpoints through official communications.
While the university’s involvement in this program has not faced significant public backlash, it has raised questions about the balance between local policing and immigration enforcement. The funds provided by Operation Stonegarden are primarily utilized for overtime pay for officers, but they can also be used for purchasing surveillance technology, including facial recognition software and night vision binoculars.
Legal and Operational Framework
California is one of five states categorized as sanctuary states participating in Operation Stonegarden, alongside New York, Washington, Vermont, and Minnesota. In addition to these states, the program includes participation from 18 other states and territories. California, which ranks third in the amount of grant funding received for this program, follows Texas and Arizona in total allocations.
Riverside County Sheriff, Chad Bianco, who is currently running for governor, has expressed strong support for the collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agencies. He stated, “By providing local law enforcement resources through Operation Stonegarden to combat public safety concerns, Border Patrol and other federal agents are more able to dedicate their resources to immigration enforcement and border security.”
The California Attorney General’s office has indicated that while they cannot conclusively determine whether Stonegarden grants violate state sanctuary laws, they acknowledge that local agencies are allowed to collaborate with federal entities on joint task forces, provided the primary focus is not immigration enforcement.
Despite the operational role of local police, information about Stonegarden activities remains limited for the public. Once completed, police are required to submit reports detailing their actions to Border Patrol, but these documents become federal property and are thus not accessible through public records requests.
Focus on Safety and Surveillance
Sergeant Patrick Dobbins, who oversees the allocation of Stonegarden funds at UC San Diego’s police department, emphasized that the patrols are conducted within the university’s jurisdiction. The department monitors sensitive areas, such as the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where approximately 6,000 students study ocean and earth sciences.
The patrols are oriented toward ensuring safety rather than enforcing immigration laws. Dobbins reiterated, “We are prohibited from even asking immigration status or enforcing immigration law.” This focus on safety is particularly relevant given the risks associated with illegal crossings, including incidents where vessels, known as pangas, have capsized, leading to fatalities among migrants.
In addition to coastline surveillance, officers also conduct patrols on Interstate 5 to deter drug smuggling activities. Dobbins explained that these operations strengthen communication between university police and other agencies, such as the Coast Guard, to effectively address crises.
Despite its objectives, the Operation Stonegarden program has faced scrutiny for potentially encouraging racial profiling and undermining the safety of Latino communities. Advocacy groups have raised concerns that the program often prioritizes arrests over community safety and crime prevention.
The Biden administration’s documents regarding the Stonegarden grants indicate a focus on combating border-related crime, including human trafficking and drug smuggling. Critics argue that the criteria for measuring success in the program concentrate on arrests rather than community welfare.
Recent reports from various police departments, including Riverside County, indicate that while Stonegarden operations frequently involve traffic stops, these often do not lead to arrests or drug seizures. Instead, they are more commonly aimed at developing intelligence, raising further questions about the effectiveness and implications of such policing strategies.
As UC San Diego continues to navigate its role within Operation Stonegarden, the balance between local policing efforts and federal immigration enforcement remains a complex and contentious issue, one that will likely evolve as community perspectives and legal frameworks shift.
