PROTESTORS DEMAND EL CAJON REPEAL ICE COOPERATION AMIDST RECALL EFFORT AGAINST CITY COUNCILMEMBER

By Paul Levikow

August 13, 2025 (El Cajon) – Dozens of East County residents filled El Cajon City Council chambers Tuesday, demanding the City repeal a resolution allowing police to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The effort was organized by Latinos en Accion and Activist San Diego to urge speakers to address the Council during public comments. Twenty-six presenters addressed the council for 90 minutes in a near-capacity crowd. Some held protest signs and wearing T-shirts displaying their opposition to the resolution and support of an effort to recall District 4 Councilmember Phil Ortiz.

Ortiz voted for the measure in February when it narrowly passed 3-2, as ECM reported.

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MAYOR WELLS BRINGS IMMIGRATION MEASURE BACK FOR NEW VOTE TUESDAY

Photo: Councilman Steve Goble is the likely swing vote when the El Cajon City Council reconsiders an amended version of a controversial immigration measure on Feb. 11.

By Miriam Raftery

February 10, 2025 (El Cajon) - A controversial measure to allow El Cajon Police officers to cooperate with federal immigration authorities is back on tomorrow’s agenda. The newly revised version includes changes from an earlier version that was voted down 3-2 after a five-hour hearing with emotional testimony on both sides. View revised draft.

The immigration matter is scheduled at the end of a 3 p.m. meeting tomorrow. However, there is an earlier 2 p.m. special meeting on unrelated issues. Activists on both sides have been advising the public to arrive early, since seats may fill up for the first meeting with people planning to stay for both meetings.

The original measure was introduced by Mayor Bill Wells and Councilman Phil Ortiz, who voted in favor. Councilmembers Gary Kendrick, Michelle Metschel and Steve Goble voted no, after several attempts at compromise measures failed. The newest reversion includes amended language proposed by Councilmember Goble.

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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.

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