El Cajon Council Considers Support for Mass Deportations

The El Cajon City Council in San Diego County is debating a proposal to support mass deportations aligned with the incoming Trump administration's plans, a move that contradicts California's broader stance against such measures. During a recent meeting, concerns were raised that endorsing this resolution could alienate migrants and incite hate, leading the council to temporarily withdraw support for the proposal in its current form. Advocates argue that the resolution's language implies immigrants are criminals, which could lead to community ostracization. Mayor Bill Wells defended the motion, stating it is about complying with federal law rather than transforming local police into immigration agents. The resolution expresses intent to collaborate with federal authorities to protect residents from serious crimes attributed to undocumented individuals. Critics, including migrant advocates, fear that this approach will create a divisive atmosphere within the diverse community of El Cajon, where a significant portion of residents are not U.S. citizens.