City leaders in San Clemente, California, have announced plans to work with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to install surveillance cameras along the city’s coastline in an effort to detect boats attempting to bring unauthorized migrants into the US.
During a city council meeting on Tuesday, members directed city manager Andy Hall to coordinate with CBP for the project. Mayor Steven Knoblock stated that the initiative aims to prevent panga boats—small fishing vessels often used for smuggling from landing on San Clemente’s shores.
“People have observed pangas crammed with illegal aliens, hitting our beach, and then scattering in the community or jumping into a van,” Knoblock told the Los Angeles Times.
Knoblock also pointed to an increase in criminal activity in the city, particularly from Chilean burglary rings, as a key reason for boosting security.
California’s 2017 sanctuary state law prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, but since San Clemente does not have its own police force, it can legally work with CBP on the project. The city is patrolled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which does not enforce federal immigration law, according to The Guardian.

How the surveillance system will operate

The cameras will be positioned along San Clemente Pier and several private homeowner association structures, providing CBP with approximately seven miles of coastal surveillance.
They will operate 24/7, featuring telescopic lenses and thermal imaging for night detection.
Originally, Knoblock proposed that local volunteers oversee the surveillance, but council members ultimately opted to involve CBP directly. The city is also considering making the footage publicly available, similar to its existing livestream of San Clemente Beach.

Concerns over migrant smuggling

According to US immigration and customs enforcement, panga boats are frequently used to smuggle both people and narcotics. Federal agents have previously coordinated with local authorities to disrupt multiple smuggling operations along the California coast. In 2021, about 90 migrants were apprehended along the shores of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties as per LA Times.
Despite controversy over the sanctuary state law, city leaders maintain that the surveillance program is intended to enhance public safety rather than target immigrants. “This additional visibility will hopefully provide interdiction prior to migrants hitting our beaches,” said the San Clemente mayor.