Encinitas council rescinds emergency action on ICE sweeps, orders outreach and transparency measures

The Encinitas City Council voted unanimously to rescind emergency actions taken Aug. 20 about recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and directed staff to pursue a set of transparency and community-safety measures, after nearly three hours of public comment at the council’s September meeting.

City Manager Michelle Campbell told the council the recommended step was to “rescind any and all actions from the August meeting” and rehear the topic with broader notice; the mayor made the rescission motion, which carried unanimously. Council members then approved a package of follow-up actions to address community concerns.

The council’s instructions require staff to expand public information and legal responses. The council directed staff to: launch a Know Your Rights campaign in English and Spanish in coordination with the sheriff and community groups; submit Freedom of Information Act requests to document ICE operations affecting the city; explore so-called safe zones near schools, churches and other sites; consider whether to join lawsuits brought by other…