Immigration Policy in San Diego, CA (2026)
2 verified immigration policy rules for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sanctuary Policy Preemption
California SB-54 (the Values Act) limits state and local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. San Diego Police Department policy mirrors the statute, barring routine status inquiries and most ICE detainers without a judicial warrant.
Sanctuary Limits via SB-54 and SDPD Policy
Few RestrictionsCal. Gov. Code § 7284 (California Values Act, SB-54)
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Values Act.
E-Verify Mandates
California Labor Code §2814 (added by AB-1236, 2011) bars cities including San Diego from requiring private employers to use E-Verify. The federal program remains voluntary except for federal contractors.
E-Verify Not Mandated for Private SD Employers
Few RestrictionsCal. Labor Code § 2814
(a) (1) Except as required by federal law or as a condition of receiving federal funds, it shall be unlawful for an employer, or any other person or entity to use the federal electronic employment verification system known as E-Verify to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant who has not been offered employment at a time or in a manner not required und...
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
Immigration Policy in San Diego County →