- El Cajon, California, is considering repealing its sanctuary city status, aligning with President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement agenda and diverging from California’s broader resistance to federal immigration policies.
- El Cajon, a diverse city with nearly 30 percent foreign-born residents, has long benefited from California’s sanctuary laws, which limit local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
- Proponents argue that ending sanctuary status would enhance public safety by addressing violent crimes linked to undocumented individuals, while critics warn it will foster fear, distrust and racial profiling, undermining community-police relations.
- El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells emphasizes compliance with federal law and the U.S. Constitution's supremacy clause, but the city council postponed voting on the resolution due to concerns about its language and potential impact on immigrant communities.
The city of El Cajon, a diverse community in San Diego County, California, is at the center of a heated debate over immigration policy as it considers repealing its sanctuary city status.
This move would align the city with President Donald Trump's promised mass deportation agenda, setting it apart from much of California, which has fiercely resisted federal immigration enforcement efforts.
El Cajon, home to over 100,000 residents, is one of the most multicultural cities in San Diego County, with nearly 30 percent of its population born outside the United States. For years, California’s sanctuary laws have shielded undocumented immigrants by limiting local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. These laws prevent police from questioning individuals about their immigration status or notifying federal officials about detainees’ release dates. (Related: Trump’s bold plan: Military deployment and mass deportations to secure the border.)
However, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells argues that the city's sanctuary status puts it at odds with federal law.
"This is not about turning our police force into Border Patrol agents," Wells emphasized. "It's about cooperating with the federal government and following the law."
He warned that the city could face legal consequences if it fails to comply with federal immigration enforcement, while state laws threaten to prosecute local officers who do cooperate.
The debate came to a head during a recent city council meeting, where residents and activists voiced strong opposition to the proposed resolution. Pedro Rios, a local immigrant rights advocate, accused the measure of being driven by "anti-immigrant fervor" and fearmongering.
"It suggests that people should be scared of immigrants because they are criminals," Rios said. "This will turn migrants into outcasts and targets of hate."
Anti-sanctuary resolution would allow local authorities to comply with federal immigration officers
The resolution, which declares the city's intent to assist federal immigration authorities, cites concerns about public safety. It references a report from Immigration and Customs Enforcement claiming that thousands of undocumented individuals released into the U.S. have been convicted of or charged with violent crimes, including assault, sexual assault, homicide and human trafficking. The resolution argues that ending sanctuary status would protect residents from such threats.
But critics say the measure is unnecessary and harmful. One resident at the meeting expressed fear that police would target him "simply because of my dark skin." Others warned that the resolution would erode trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, making it harder for police to solve crimes and keep neighborhoods safe.
Wells insists the resolution has been misunderstood.
"The intention is not to have our police department rounding people up," he said. "It's about staying compliant with federal law." Wells also pointed to the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause, which holds that federal law takes precedence over state law.
Despite Wells' assurances, the city council postponed a vote on the resolution after three of its four members raised concerns about the language and potential impact. Councilman Gary Kendrick stressed the importance of safeguarding everyone’s rights, noting that immigrants are "very much a part of the fabric of our society."
The council agreed to rewrite the resolution and revisit the issue at a future meeting.
Watch this warning from President Donald Trump aimed at officials that lead sanctuary jurisdictions.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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