Mayor Tisdale rejects social-media claims, says his comments on sanctuary-city request were about public safety

Mayor Gerald Tisdale used council time on July 10 to rebut social-media claims that he had urged residents to act against immigrants or to support immigration enforcement.

Tisdale said posts by an influencer named Alan Vargas and statements attributed to the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice misrepresented remarks made at the June 10 council meeting. The mayor reiterated his June 10 remarks, saying, "the city of Lake Elsinore will not become a sanctuary city because it does not serve us," and that his comments were about ensuring public safety during expected disturbances around the Fourth of July period. He said the statements were intended to urge vigilance — "if you see something, say something" — and not to encourage calls to federal immigration authorities.

The mayor identified himself as a 22-year Marine Corps veteran and a county emergency-management employee and said he had been falsely accused on social media of making inflammatory or racist remarks. He asked Mr. Vargas and the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice to issue a public apology and to remove what he called defamatory posts. Tisdale directed residents to the city’s official recording of the June 10 meeting — which he said is posted on the city website — for the full context of his comments.

Tisdale emphasized the council’s practice of avoiding federal immigration policy debates at the local level and said his statements were intended to keep residents and visitors safe during large events. He also acknowledged Councilmember Johnson’s absence due to illness earlier in the meeting.

No formal council action was taken; the remarks were presented as a statement from the mayor.