LATINO LEADERS GIVE EARFUL TO EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL OVER PROPOSED IMMIGRATION RESOLUTION
Council asks staff to revise resolution, which will be on the agenda January 28
By Miriam Raftery
"I see this as disrespectful from you, the Council, the Mayor and the attorneys...This is going to create a lot of distrust in the community.” -- Jose Cruz, photo, left
"It's about following the law. California is asking us to ignore federal law."--Mayor Bill Wells, photo, right
January 17, 2025 (El Cajon) – In emotional testimony, leaders of the Latino community and others pleaded with El Cajon City Council members on January 14 to reject a resolution proposed by Mayor Bill Wells aimed at maximizing the city’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. With President-Elect Donald Trump’s announced mass deportation intent, which Trump has said could include all undocumented immigrants in the U.S., many speakers voiced fears over potential discrimination by police against people of color, as well as fears that even long-term immigrants and children who have committed no crimes could be rounded up for deportation.
Trump has also said he wants to deport some special protection status immigrants who came here legally, such as Haitians; others with TPS status include Afghans and Iraqis who helped the U.S. military, Ukrainian refugees, and others.