By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Jamul tribal chairwoman Erica Pinto
January 8, 2025 (Jamul) – On December 23, President Joe Biden signed into law the bipartisan Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, which places 172 acres of land in East County, San Diego into tribal trust for the Jamul Indian Village.
“Thank you to Senators Padilla and Butler, and Representatives Issa and Vargas for their leadership,” Biden said upon signing S. 3857 authored by California Senator Alex Padilla into law. The companion measure in the House was authored by Congressman Darrell Issa.
“The Jamul Indian Village has sought for years to bring tribal members back onto their ancestral land – so they can raise their families, carry forward their culture, and add to their history,” said Rep. Issa when the measure passed the Senate last month. “This is the right thing to do, and it empowers not government, but individuals, to take new charge and best care of their lives. This Fee-to-Trust bill provides that opportunity, securing Jamul’s land, preserving its sacred sites, and protecting Kumeyaay traditions for generations to come. My thanks to Senator Padilla and Congressman Vargas for their support in pushing forth this important legislation.”
The 172 acres are currently owned by the Jamul Indian Village, which includes residential land for homes and council buildings, an ancestral cemetery, and the tribe’s only road for transportation.
“After years of sacrifice in their efforts to achieve self-determination, the Jamul Indian Village will finally get the true homeland they deserve to preserve their sacred history,” said Senator Padilla. “I am honored to have worked alongside the Jamul Indian Village and Congressman Issa to strengthen the Tribe’s community development and permanently safeguard their home for the benefit of their members.”
“For years, the Jamul Indian Village has been fighting to restore their homeland and rebuild their communities. Today, we mark a milestone in these efforts as the Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act passes Congress,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “This bill honors the Jamul Indian Village’s right to place their land into trust, protecting traditions and sacred sites for future generations. Thank you to Congressman Issa and Senator Padilla for their leadership on this issue. It was an honor to work on this legislation alongside my colleagues and Jamul Indian Village leaders, and I look forward to seeing it swiftly signed into law.”
Chairwoman Erica Pinto testified on the legislation, stating, “The Tribe desperately needs additional trust lands so that it may preserve and protect its cultural sites, and develop housing for its members, a health clinic, a grocery store, Tribal administrative offices, law enforcement, educational services, and other community resources in service of the Tribe’s members."
After the bill became law, Chairwoman Pinto told ECM, "This legislation brought out mixed emotions amongst the community but to me, no words can describe what this legislation truly means to my people."
The measures did draw opposition locally. The Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group raised concerns over potential commercial development, traffic, and procedures followed, though Chairwoman Pinto has said the tribe would only use the land for purposes specified, including tribal housing, education, administrative offices, and healthcare.
View our prior coverage: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/bills-propose-adding-172-acres-trust-jamul-indian-village
Read the bill text here.
