An Update From the Border

For the past four years, our border has been wide open, allowing millions of people to enter the country without proper vetting, including hundreds of thousands here in San Diego. I’ve seen it firsthand—human traffickers dropping people off and walking through into the country without being stopped. Last year, for the first time since the 1980s, San Diego had the highest number of border crossings in the nation.

There were days last year when over 1,000 people per day were dropped off on our streets—completely unvetted—free to go anywhere they wanted. This was not only unsustainable but a direct threat to the safety and security of our communities.

This past weekend, I went to the Southern Border once again, where I’ve been many times over the past few years. The difference was stark. Where chaos once reigned, I saw additional razor wire in place—but what stood out most was that nobody was in sight. The flood of illegal crossings has drastically slowed, with less than 100 people crossing a day in San Diego. This is a dramatic change from just months ago when we had thousands entering every single day.

There’s Still Work to Be Done

Despite order returning to the border, our fight is not over. The County of San Diego is still allocating $5 million per year for illegal immigrants facing deportation—regardless of any crimes they have committed. And just recently, Governor Newsom approved another $25 million in state funds to provide legal defense for illegal immigrants facing deportation.

This is not common sense, and it’s certainly not fair to hardworking, law-abiding taxpayers who are struggling with rising costs of living, housing, and public safety concerns. Our tax dollars should be spent securing our communities, not defending those who broke our laws.

I will continue to stand up against these reckless policies and fight for border security, fiscal responsibility, and the safety of our communities. 

Thank you for your continued support, and as always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts.

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond | February 9, 2025

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