Deportation Flights Increase in San Diego Under Trump Administration
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This episode of KQED's The California Report examines the sharp increase in deportation flights from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego under the Trump administration. Reporter Gustavo Solis highlights how the base, historically used for military and civilian flights, has become a growing hub for ICE deportation operations—documented by Human Rights First as 85 ICE flights in 2025, all from Miramar, compared to zero in 2024. Residents like David Kennedy noticed the change in aircraft sounds, identifying commercial-style planes transporting individuals to countries including Mexico, Panama, and India. The shift marks a broader pattern of the Trump administration leveraging military infrastructure for mass deportation efforts, despite San Diego’s traditional role as a border crossing rather than a deportation hub. The episode also covers related policy developments, including a bill to ban law enforcement near polling places amid fears of federal ICE presence during elections, and a separate push by California lawmakers to hold oil companies accountable for climate-related disasters through SB 982.
San Diego’s MCAS Miramar has become a major hub for ICE deportation flights, with 85 documented in 2025—zero in 2024.
The Trump administration is increasingly using military bases for deportation operations, signaling a strategic expansion of immigration enforcement.
Residents have noticed changes in flight patterns and sounds, identifying commercial-style aircraft used for deportations to Mexico, Panama, and India.
A new state bill aims to prohibit law enforcement from approaching polling places unless there’s a public safety threat, in response to federal intimidation fears.
SB 982 seeks to allow the state attorney general to sue oil companies for climate disaster damages, shifting financial burden from taxpayers to corporations.
California Legal and Political Developments
The episode opens with updates on California's legal and political landscape, including the disbarment of John Eastman for promoting false election claims and a new bill to prevent law enforcement from approaching polling places, sparked by fears of ICE presence during elections.
Rise of Deportation Flights at MCAS Miramar
“That different sound wasn't a hypersonic jet or some new top secret military prototype. It sounded like a regular commercial airplane.”
Human Rights First Data and Military Infrastructure Use
“This has been a really important initiative in giving people access to data to understand the scale and the scope of what is going on, and how it's affecting local communities.”
Climate Accountability and Oil Industry Liability
“While so much of our community has lost everything, I mean everything, and so many families can barely afford food, let alone rebuild, the five largest oil corporations made nearly $400 billion in profit over the last three years.”
“While so much of our community has lost everything, I mean everything, and so many families can barely afford food, let alone rebuild, the five largest oil corporations made nearly $400 billion in profit over the last three years.”
“We're really hurting. Through the oil corporations, we could use your help.”
“The Trump administration is using the country's military infrastructure to advance his mass deportation agenda.”
Host
Guests
ICE
organization
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
place
Trump administration
organization
Savi Avri
person
SB 982
other
David Kennedy
person
Human Rights First
organization
Gayle Ali
person
John Eastman
person
San Diego International Airport
place
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