CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad City Council spent more than two and a half hours on Tuesday reviewing immigration-related policies, outlining legal limitations and listening to residents amid public concern about federal immigration enforcement operations in the city.
The Feb. 3 council discussion followed heightened anxiety across the community, fueled in part by a video shared online showing federal authorities parked in the Dove Library parking lot, prompting questions about the city’s role — and lack thereof — in immigration enforcement.
Police Chief Christie Calderwood said she could only speak for her department and not on behalf of the federal government or Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But, as she emphasized repeatedly during the meeting, the Carlsbad Police Department does not participate in immigration enforcement.
“We understand that the federal government’s current approach to immigration enforcement has created concern and uncertainty,” Calderwood said. “The Carlsbad Police Department firmly believes that trust between our community, to include our immigrant communities, and local law enforcement is essential to public safety. It is important to me as the chief that we have a strong, collaborative relationship with our community members and I believe we have decades of working side by side with our community to show that.”
The city’s Policy 428 is informed by Senate Bill 54, also known as the California Values Act, which states that Carlsbad police officers cannot act upon civil ICE administrative warrants, Calderwood said.
However, federal criminal arrest warrants are enforceable if the violation was detected during an unrelated law enforcement activity and the individual involved had previously been removed from the country for an aggravated felony.
Calderwood said the policies have been clearly communicated to officers. She noted that, under the supremacy clause, federal law generally takes precedence over state law.
Local law enforcement can enforce state law when called to action, including to ensure scene safety, but the Carlsbad Police Department does not coordinate with federal agents on immigration-specific actions, according to Calderwood.
“Our communication with federal immigration officers has been extremely limited because of SB 54,” she said.
She also cited several examples of non-immigration enforcement cases, including human trafficking investigations, where city police have worked successfully with federal officers.
Councilmember Teresa Acosta said that, based on the information provided, the questions answered, and the public presentations, it was clear to her “how highly trained, qualified and committed our police department is.”
Acosta put forth a motion, approved unanimously, to add “Know Your Rights” and other federal information resources to the city’s website.
Jennifer True, senior assistant city attorney, reiterated the limitations on city and state agencies, citing state laws such as the California Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds (TRUTH) Act.
The TRUTH Act requires local law enforcement agencies to provide written notice to individuals when federal immigration authorities request an interview — which the individual can decline — or a transfer of custody, according to True. SB 54 limits state and local law enforcement agencies from using resources to assist with immigration enforcement.
True said the city’s approach to immigration enforcement is “not a matter of policy preference or local discretion,” but rather a complex state-level legal framework that “define clear boundaries, impose specific obligations and provide enforceable protections to the public.”
The Feb. 3 City Council meeting included 30 public speakers who signed up to express a range of opinions about immigration enforcement. Many speakers said social media has contributed to a national sense of division.
The majority expressed fear and frustration with current federal immigration policies and actions, while others said opposition to federal enforcement efforts was misguided and dangerous given the need to curb illegal immigration.
Several residents urged the city to take additional steps to clearly define boundaries between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
Narima Lopes, a District 3 resident, said she appreciated the work Carlsbad police do in areas such as homelessness response but asked the council to formally codify and publish policies clarifying that officers “do not enforce federal immigration law, do not participate in immigration raids, and are not involved in immigration-focused operations.”
Other residents called for greater transparency and stronger procedural protections. Beverly Marston, a Carlsbad resident, said she was concerned about ICE’s presence in the city and wanted assurances regarding information sharing with federal agencies.
“Our community deserves trust and clarity from our police department,” Marston wrote.
Not all residents shared the same concerns. Kelly Le Berthon, of Carlsbad, wrote that police officers “deserve to have the full support of the City Council and the community when it comes to doing the jobs they are hired to do — enforce our laws,” warning against policies she said could undermine public safety.
Councilmember Kevin Shin praised Calderwood for her leadership and transparency, and voiced his support for peaceful resistance and the documentation of government actions.
“I do think that citizens have to act,” Shin said. “I think if they’re seeing what takes place and it looks like it’s a constitutional violation, you have cameras now — you’ve got your iPhones or whatever. Go out there and continue to do what you’re doing if you feel scared about our own government.”
Calderwood said that maintaining peaceful protests — such as the “No Kings” protests or “Black Lives Matter” demonstrations following the killing of George Floyd — depends on communication and shared trust between protesters and CPD.
“While the First Amendment is robust, it does not present immunity from all laws,” she said. “Peaceful protests are nonviolent and nonthreatening. We’ve made it clear with those protesting that we do not tolerate lawlessness in our city and we’ve had great success with people exercising their First Amendment within the limits of the law.”
Councilmember Melanie Burkholder said it “breaks my heart” to hear that residents may be afraid to call the police due to immigration enforcement concerns. Burkholder thanked Calderwood and True for outlining legal limitations at the city level and encouraged residents to direct their concerns to officials who can influence federal policy.
“I just want to encourage the public, you’ve heard a lot tonight about how this body can’t impact laws in Congress, but you all can,” Burkholder said. “I do know our Congressman Mike Levin is extraordinarily responsive to residents. He’s been extremely helpful to me when I’ve needed to reach out to him for various reasons. I would encourage communicating with his office.”
Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel acknowledged the city’s limitations but said the fear surrounding immigration enforcement is “not abstract, it’s very real,” particularly for children in the community.
“When fear keeps people from leaving their homes — which we heard today — going to work or going to school, it stops just being about policy and a policy issue, it becomes a public health issue as well,” Bhat-Patel said. “I want you all to know that at least from my perspective I see that and take it very seriously.”
In a statement to The Coast News, Denise Ramirez, public information officer for the Carlsbad Police, addressed residents’ concerns about a video apparently showing federal authorities parked at the Dove Library.
“We are aware of the video circulating on social media showing federal authorities parked in the Dove Library parking lot on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025,” Ramirez said. “While we cannot confirm the federal agencies’ actions or enforcement activity because we were not involved, we want to reassure the community that the City of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Police Department follow Senate Bill 54, known as the ‘California Values Act,’ which outlines a clear separation between local law enforcement responsibilities and federal immigration enforcement.
“Carlsbad Police Officers do not enforce federal immigration law, do not participate in immigration raids and are not involved in immigration-focused operations. There was no enforcement activity in or at our libraries. While we do not have authority over federal enforcement activities, we remain committed to ensuring the safety and trust of our community.”
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