‘I have zero authority.’ Carlsbad police chief’s report on federal immigration leaves questions

A long-awaited police report on federal immigration enforcement in Carlsbad left many residents expressing questions and fears about the limits of local control amid a nationwide crackdown on immigration.

Carlsbad Police Chief Christie Calderwood and Senior Assistant City Attorney Jennifer True gave a presentation on the police department’s association with federal immigration agents at a crowded City Council meeting Tuesday. Calderwood and True spent 20 minutes detailing their 27-page report outlining the laws that guide the police department, including California’s Senate Bill 54, the so-called “sanctuary law” that restricts local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration agents.

The report was requested by the City Council on Dec. 9, one week after a video was taken at a public library showing federal agents using the library’s parking lot as a staging area. It was meant to answer questions about immigration enforcement actions in Carlsbad, but there was little information in the report about day-to-day operations on the ground.

Calderwood said police had no authority over the agents, and could not answer how often immigration agents make arrests in the city. 

“They come and go and we don’t even know that they’re here,” Calderwood said. “And quite honestly, we don’t want to be involved because we will be violating SB 54 if we are.” 

Councilmembers, who had voted unanimously to request the report, said they were pleased with the information and the police department’s work to protect all members of the community. Many residents also thanked police, but some said they were left wanting more information and action from police about interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  

“I still feel like we’re at the 10,000 foot level,” said Carlsbad resident Vickey Syage. “The presentation was predicated on an assumption that the federal law enforcement agencies were acting in good faith, are well trained and are acting in a lawful manner. That hasn’t been the case with ICE.”

Syage was one of 30 public commenters on Tuesday. Many described the fear and disruptions that ICE had caused in Carlsbad and across the country. Federal agents have ramped up immigration enforcement further and further from the border, from Los Angeles to Minneapolis, where two protesters were killed by federal agents last month, sparking protests nationwide.

Against that backdrop, several Carlsbad residents pressed Chief Calderwood with questions after her presentation, including what power the police had over federal agents. Other residents praised the nationwide immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump’s administration, and advocated for police and the public to allow for uninterrupted enforcement. 

“I urge Carlsbad not to use the legal loopholes for non-cooperation with federal agents and embrace collaboration to uphold lawful actions that protect our community and restore unity,” resident Mike Borrello said. “Cooperation is not capitulation, it’s strength against manipulation. Make no mistake, we are at war, but we must not succumb to fear or confusion. Strong leadership relies on facts, not popularity and nudges from unseen actors.”

‘Clear up confusion’

City leaders said Tuesday’s presentation was designed to “clear up confusion” about ICE activity in Carlsbad and the police’s department’s role. It was the latest in what can be contentious debates about ICE in city halls around San Diego County.

While initial reports of the Dove Library incident described agents with long guns entering the library, Calderwood said that she did not see long guns in the video of the incident, and that the agents had just made a legal arrest nearby. 

“I think it’s important for our community to know that this misinformation being spread is leading to fear, mistrust and triggering strong emotions toward even local law enforcement,” she said Tuesday. 

Calderwood also ensured the community that the police department was not involved in any immigration enforcement in the city. She said that Carlsbad police have a strong relationship with federal law enforcement and that it helps them find out more information from them. Although it is not required, federal agents typically alert police when they are coming to their city as a courtesy measure, she said.

Calderwood also said that she has been notified of an “abduction” or “kidnapping” several times and told by federal agents that each was a “legitimate arrest” when she called them to ask about it.

The morning of her report, Calderwood said that one of her officers drove by an arrest by federal immigration officials on Faraday Avenue. 

“Once he realized federal agents were in the middle of an arrest, kept his distance and began conducting traffic control because there were multiple near traffic collisions occurring during a busy morning commute,” Calderwood said. 

‘Keeping us all safe’

Carlsbad resident Jill Stephens had never been to a City Council meeting before Tuesday. She said she  decided to come after hearing about it on Facebook. 

“I’m enraged and outraged about what’s going on,” she told inewsource before the meeting. She said she wanted to know if a police officer would help her if she got into an altercation with federal officials.

Calderwood said in her presentation that residents can “absolutely count on the fact that if they call 911, we are going to respond.” She said people had a right to record officers, but said they should not obstruct the operation as that would be illegal, and said that officers could not do that either. 

But while police can respond to a scene to verify that there is a legitimate ICE arrest, Calderwood’s presentation made clear that there is little else her department can do. 

“I have zero authority over the federal government,” Calderwood said. 

Residents still looking for answers may get another chance. 

Mayor Keith Blackburn said that Rep. Mike Levin was setting up a meeting between area mayors and a local ICE official.Councilmember Kevin Shin said he would request at the next meeting of the regional San Diego Association of Governments that ICE come to a subsequent meeting to answer questions.

Councilmembers also urged people to speak out and contact their congressional representatives. 

“We have to continue to use our rights under the law, and that includes participating in elections and getting out the vote to elect those representatives that will respect our rights under the law,” Councilmember Teresa Acosta said. “I’m committed to our peace, safety and sense of community, and I know that everyone here will remain in conversation about keeping us all safe and on the same page.”

Carlsbad City Manager Geoff Patnoe also said he would add “know your rights” information to the website on how to interact with immigration officials.