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2.0

DHS's Operation Stonegarden continues in "sanctuary" locations

  1. Original Date Announced

    February 10, 2025

    CalMatters reports that three California counties—Imperial, San Diego, and Riverside—have quietly continued their longstanding participation in DHS's Operation Stonegarden—a program that disburses federal funds in exchange for local law-enforcement agency collaboration with CBP—despite the state's sanctuary laws. The program targets "border-related crime," and at least one publicly available Imperial County grant document shows an emphasis on drug trafficking and border arrests. Local police forces, including the UC San Diego Police Department, use Stonegarden funds to purchase technology like "mobile data laptops, GPS trackers, camera systems, unmanned aircrafts, patrol vehicles, and license plate readers" and pay for overtime hours. In addition to California, four other "sanctuary" states—New York, Washington, Vermont, and Minnesota—also participate in Operation Stonegarden.

    Trump 2.0 [ID #2211]

    2026.02.10 Overtime pay and night vision binoculars: UC San Diego is among agencies helping patrol border - CalMatters
  2. Subsequent Trump and Court Action

    April 20, 2026

    2026.04.20 Reported: ACLU goes to court for information on Operation Stonegarden - San Juan Daily Star

    The San Juan Daily Star reports that the ACLU of Puerto Rico filed a petition for a writ of mandamus in the San Juan Court of First Instance on behalf of journalist Carlos Berríos Polanco, seeking to compel the Puerto Rico Police Bureau to release documents on the administration, operation, and funding of Operation Stonegarden. The petition also seeks access to other operational policies and training materials, like those on use of force, interactions with civilians, and protocols for referring individuals to federal custody. Berríos Polanco had requested the documents on February 19, 2026, but the Police Bureau failed to respond within the statutory timeline.

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Current Status

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Reported
Trump Administration Action: Data and Reports
Subject Matter: Border Enforcement
Agencies Affected: CBP DHS

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