El Cajon residents protest police collaboration with ICE and due process violations

During the City Council meeting in El Cajon on February 11, 2025, a heated discussion emerged surrounding a proposed resolution that could impact local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, specifically the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Community members voiced strong concerns about the implications of this resolution, particularly regarding due process rights for undocumented residents.

Several speakers highlighted the potential for abuse under the Lake and Riley Act, which allows ICE to detain individuals based solely on accusations rather than convictions. They argued that this could lead to indefinite detention of El Cajon residents for minor offenses, such as traffic violations, without the opportunity for a fair trial. One speaker emphasized that this could result in individuals being sent to facilities like Guantanamo Bay, where constitutional protections are reportedly not upheld.

The testimonies underscored a broader fear that the resolution would enable local police to act as agents of federal immigration enforcement, potentially leading to the wrongful detention of community members. Advocates for the resolution argued that it would not prevent ICE from operating in El Cajon but would instead ensure that local law enforcement could assist in maintaining public safety.

Opponents of the resolution urged council members to consider the moral and legal implications of their vote, framing it as a matter of upholding constitutional rights for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. They called for the council to protect the community from what they described as a slide toward authoritarianism and a violation of due process.

As the meeting progressed, the council faced pressure to weigh the potential consequences of their decision on the lives of residents and the community's values. The outcome of this resolution could significantly shape the relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, impacting the lives of many in El Cajon. The council's decision will be closely watched by residents concerned about civil rights and community safety.