The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) has ended its participation in a federal program that involved its campus police working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The university will no longer be part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Stonegarden grant program, a move that comes after significant student protests.
The program provided funds to California law enforcement agencies to collaborate with Customs and Border Protection on border security efforts. According to an internal email from the university’s chancellor, the program's focus has largely been on targeting drug and human trafficking, rather than immigration enforcement. UC San Diego’s campus police had been receiving funds from this grant since 2012.
Student opposition intensified in February when it was reported that campus police used grant funds to patrol coastal areas near the university. Students voiced concerns that the program endangered undocumented students and other international students, particularly in light of the Trump administration's immigration policies. Aryan Dixit, president of the Students’ Civil Liberties Union, stated at a February rally that such grants "are hurting the community; they’re hurting community trust in the police on this campus."
Following the protests, which reportedly included student emails to administrators and threats of large gatherings, the campus police chief agreed in a private meeting in late February to withdraw from the grant program. Internal emails confirm UC San Diego's intention to discontinue its use of the grant and not seek future applications. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed the university's disengagement from the program.
This decision aligns with a decade-old University of California policy that prohibits campus police from collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or detaining individuals based on suspected immigration status. Chancellor Niraj Dangoria reiterated the university's commitment to a safe and welcoming campus environment for all students, irrespective of their immigration status.
Operation Stonegarden continues to maintain partnerships with other law enforcement agencies across California, including those in Riverside County, San Diego County, and Los Angeles County. In 2024, the program allocated over $12 million to California, with San Diego County receiving $7.5 million due to its proximity to the Mexican border.