On March 19, 2025, the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLU-SDIC) sent a public comment letter to the Calexico City Council in opposition to the city’s proposed camping ban. The ACLU-SDIC, along with community partners and volunteers, attended the meeting and highlighted portions of the letter, specifically the legal and policy concerns of such a ban. We proposed a Housing First approach, which focuses on getting people into their own affordable, permanent housing, as opposed to the punitive approach of a camping ban. Unfortunately, the city council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance, and it will go into effect in 30 days.
Read our full letter below.