UC San Diego ends Stonegarden grant partnership after student protests

The University of California, San Diego announced it will withdraw from Operation Stonegarden, a Department of Homeland Security grant that funds collaboration between campus police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Border Patrol. The grant, averaging about $11 million per year for California law‑enforcement agencies, had been used by UC San Diego police since roughly 2012 to patrol coastal areas near campus.

Student criticism surfaced after a February 10 report revealed the decade‑long partnership, prompting a meeting on February 26 between students and campus police chief Lamine Secka, after which the university agreed to leave the program. Vice chancellor Niraj Dangoria later confirmed the university’s intention to cease using the grant and not reapply. In May, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Michael Gonzales stated UC San Diego would not participate in future Stonegarden operations. Students, including Aryan Dixit and Daniel Negrete, described the relationship as “crazy” and participated in anti‑ICE walkouts, citing concerns for undocumented and international students.