San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond is calling on the federal government to take decisive action against Mexico’s ongoing discharge of raw sewage into U.S. waters, which has long plagued Southern California’s coastline and endangered public health.
“For too long, Mexico has been allowed to get away with releasing hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the United States — poisoning our beaches, sickening our residents, and even forcing Navy SEALs to relocate training operations,” Desmond said on Tuesday.
Desmond, a Republican congressional candidate in California’s 49th District, is demanding that the U.S. limit cross-border travel and suspend the export of potable water into Tijuana whenever the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health declares a health-related threat.
“It’s clear that Mexico will not act unless real pressure is applied,” he said. “This is a national security issue and a public health crisis. Residents are getting sick. Their pets are getting sick. And our elite military forces are being put at risk. It’s unacceptable — and it’s time to hold Mexico accountable.”
The crisis stems from a failing wastewater infrastructure in Tijuana and a treatment plant in the U.S. that is in need of upgrades — an issue worsened by unchecked population growth south of the border. Despite over $650 million being sought by San Diego’s congressional delegation to improve the U.S.-side facilities, the cross-border contamination continues.
While critics argue that border restrictions would hurt the economy — with around 90,000 people crossing daily for work — Desmond is placing the safety of American citizens, service members, and local communities above politics and profit.
His firm stance marks a growing frustration among local leaders who believe Mexico must finally be held accountable for a decades-old environmental disaster that has gone unpunished.
