Vista narrowly approves resolution focused on immigration rights

After a six-hour, emotionally charged meeting with more than 100 public speakers, the Vista City Council voted narrowly to move forward a resolution focused on immigrant rights.

The council was split along the same 3-2 lines as when the topic came before it in September as a proposed city ordinance. An ordinance is a local law whereas a resolution is an official statement of policy or position.

Mayor John Franklin and Councilmember Jeff Fox again voted against the item, saying they didn’t think it was necessary and were concerned that it could make the city a target for more federal enforcement or loss of federal funds.

“This is a solution looking for a problem,” Franklin said.

City staffers have said they don’t know of any federal immigration enforcement activities that have occurred on city property in areas that are not publicly accessible.

The other three council members said they thought it was important to reaffirm and clarify the city’s policies and share information about people’s rights. They rejected the notion that this was a “sanctuary city” resolution, as Franklin and some member of the public called it.

“In no way does it prohibit law enforcement, any federal agent, from doing their job,” Councilmember Dan O’Donnell said.

The 4 1/2 hours of public testimony and hour of council discussion were tense at times, with members of the council and the public criticizing Franklin for interrupting.

“We’re trying to have a normal conversation and there’s some really unhinged behavior,” Councilmember Katie Melendez said.

Before the vote, speakers on both sides of the debate pleaded with the council in both English and Spanish. More than twice as many speakers supported the resolution when compared with those who said they opposed it.

Patricia Mondragon, regional policy manager for Alliance San Diego, told the council that she’s hearing from residents who are afraid to seek help, report a crime, or spend time in public.

“Strengthen and pass this resolution,” she told the council. “Tell every person and visitor in Vista that they matter.”

However, others said they didn’t think the resolution would make any positive difference in the city. Some said they supported legal immigration but thought illegal immigration was damaging the city and the country.

“I believe that the current trend toward defying our social structure and government is irresponsible and irreverent,” Janet Brugger told the council. “Not only are you risking federal sanction, you are risking the very quality of life of those you sought to provide for: your citizens.”

Specifically, the resolution says the city will do four things:

• Share “Know Your Rights” information about immigration laws.
• Prohibit federal law enforcement personnel from conducting immigration enforcement actions in non-public areas of city-owned or city-controlled properties unless federal law enforcement personnel have a valid judicial warrant.
• Not share protected personal characteristic data with any entity that contracts with the city unless required by law or court order.
• Not share protected personal characteristic data collected by the city with immigration enforcement agencies, unless required by law or court order.

Among the speakers were several students from Rancho Buena Vista High School, two school board members, and many members of local Catholic churches.

Before the vote, Sheriff’s Capt. John Malan, in response to questions from O’Donnell, told the council that he doesn’t believe the resolution will protect criminals or make it more difficult for deputies to do their job.

Although there were more speakers in support of the resolution than against, Franklin said he doesn’t think they truly represent the residents of Vista. During the meeting and on social media, he accused an outside organization of organizing to bus people to the meeting to speak about the resolution, a claim both speakers and other council members denied.

“Clearly, you’re here because this is important to you and the immigration situation has deeply, deeply impacted your family,” Councilmember Corinna Contreras told the crowd.

More than one council member called the meeting and public comments “democracy in action,” thanking the speakers for their participation in the process.

“It’s very much important that everyone comes out and speaks their minds,” Fox said.

The council’s action comes at a time when increased action by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers has led to incidents where some U.S. citizens and legal immigrants have been detained.

Vista is the latest in a series of jurisdictions across the county and nation to adopt local measures related to federal immigration enforcement.

The City of Chula Vista also approved a similar resolution Tuesday that includes nearly identical measures along with additional ones such as exploring partnerships with local nonprofits to support people affected by immigration enforcement. Oceanside approved an ordinance with similar measures in September. San Diego County was among the first public agencies to adopt a policy that restricts the use of local resources to assist federal agents when it did so late last year.

El Cajon leaders went in the opposite direction, voting 3-2 in February to cooperate with ICE officials to the extent permitted by state law and seeking federal indemnification for city police officers.

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