California and many of its local governments, including Los Angeles and San Diego County, have taken a stand against deportations, passing resolutions to refuse cooperation with federal immigration agencies.

Mayor Bill Wells supported El Cajon’s resolution as-is and cast the only vote opposing an alternate motion to have it returned with new wording. That redo aims to clarify the resolution’s intent: to protect all residents by working with ICE officers in assisting with arrests only of migrants who had committed serious crimes.

The city of El Cajon delayed a vote on a resolution that declared its intent to assist federal immigration authorities "to the maximum legal extent possible."

The resolution seeks to address a state law restricting the extent to which California law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

"The way the language was presented in the resolution, it suggests that people should be scared of immigrants because they are criminals," said Rios. "It would target them by other members of the community who believe immigrants are causing harm and need to be sanctioned by the city of El Cajon.