> At a Glance
> – San Diego claims U.S. Marines installed razor-wire fencing on city land without permission
> – The city says the work is damaging protected habitats in the Marron Valley area
> – Officials first spotted federal crews on the site in December
> – Why it matters: The suit could set a precedent for how local governments can challenge federal border projects on local land
San Diego is taking the federal government to court, accusing the U.S. military of trespassing and environmental damage while installing border razor-wire fencing on city-owned property.
The Lawsuit
The complaint, filed Monday in federal court, names the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense as defendants. It alleges that Marines and other federal personnel entered the Marron Valley area without city permission and began erecting razor-wire barriers.
According to the filing, the project has:
- Blocked city staff from accessing the property
- Harmed protected plant and wildlife habitats
- Caused ongoing property damage
City’s Response
City Attorney Heather Ferbert stated:
> “The city of San Diego will not allow federal agencies to disregard the law and damage city property. We are taking decisive action to protect sensitive habitats, uphold environmental commitments and ensure that the rights and resources of our community are respected.”
The lawsuit asks the court to issue an injunction that would halt further construction and require the federal government to remove the fencing.
Key Takeaways
- The city first discovered federal crews on site in December
- Construction is preventing San Diego from managing its own land
- The suit seeks an immediate stop-work order
The case highlights growing tension between local governments and federal agencies over border infrastructure projects on local land.
