In October 2020, the ACLU of Northern California, the Immigrant Defense Project, Just Futures Law, and Mijente filed FOIA requests seeking records of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection's use of Clearview AI's face surveillance system.

In late 2019, Pacifica passed an ordinance prohibiting “oversized vehicle” parking. The ordinance made it illegal to park an RV at any time in streets throughout the city, including giving the city the discretion to prohibit RV parking based on aesthetics. Pacifica began aggressively enforcing this ordinance in September 2020 after the city council abandoned efforts to provide any parking areas for RV residents. Those who violated the ordinance were subject to escalating fines.