![\"Vista,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SUT-L-Immig-Safety-Rally015.jpg\")
At the Vista City Council meeting, Mayor John Franklin speaks prior to Council vote on the Community Safety and Due Process Resolution. (Charlie Neuman \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune<\/p>\nAfter 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
At the Vista City Council meeting, Mayor John Franklin speaks prior to Council vote on the Community Safety and Due Process Resolution. (Charlie Neuman \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune<\/p>\n
Mayor John Franklin and Councilmember Jeff Fox again voted against the item, saying they didn\u2019t think it was necessary and were concerned that it could make the city a target for more federal enforcement or loss of federal funds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a solution looking for a problem,\u201d Franklin said.<\/p>\n
City staffers have said they don\u2019t know of any federal immigration enforcement activities that have occurred on city property in areas that are not publicly accessible.<\/p>\n
The other three council members said they thought it was important to reaffirm and clarify the city\u2019s policies and share information about people\u2019s rights. They rejected the notion that this was a \u201csanctuary city\u201d resolution, as Franklin and some member of the public called it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn no way does it prohibit law enforcement, any federal agent, from doing their job,\u201d Councilmember Dan O\u2019Donnell said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to have a normal conversation and there\u2019s some really unhinged behavior,\u201d Councilmember Katie Melendez said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Patricia Mondragon, regional policy manager for Alliance San Diego, told the council that she\u2019s hearing from residents who are afraid to seek help, report a crime, or spend time in public.<\/p>\n
\u201cStrengthen and pass this resolution,\u201d she told the council. \u201cTell every person and visitor in Vista that they matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Vista,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SUT-L-Immig-Safety-Rally018.jpg\")
At Vista City Hall, a capacity crowd fills the darkened Community Room as they watch and listen to live video of the adjacent City Council meeting where the Council will vote on the Community Safety and Due Process Resolution. Prior to the Council meeting there was a community rally in support of the resolution. (Charlie Neuman \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune<\/p>\n
However, others said they didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that the current trend toward defying our social structure and government is irresponsible and irreverent,\u201d Janet Brugger told the council. \u201cNot only are you risking federal sanction, you are risking the very quality of life of those you sought to provide for: your citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Specifically, the resolution says the city will do four things:<\/p>\n
![\"Vista,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SUT-L-Immig-Safety-Rally008.jpg\")
Before the Vista City Council was to vote on the Community Safety and Due Process Resolution supporters of the resolution have a late afternoon rally at City Hall just prior to the Council meeting and vote. Waving the American flag is Julian Bush. (Charlie Neuman \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
Among the speakers were several students from Rancho Buena Vista High School, two school board members, and many members of local Catholic churches.<\/p>\n
Before the vote, Sheriff\u2019s Capt. John Malan, in response to questions from O\u2019Donnell, told the council that he doesn\u2019t believe the resolution will protect criminals or make it more difficult for deputies to do their job.<\/p>\n
Although there were more speakers in support of the resolution than against, Franklin said he doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
![\"Vista,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SUT-L-Immig-Safety-Rally003.jpg\")
Vista City Councilwoman Corinna Contreras speaks at a community rally at Vista City Hall before the Vista City Council votes on the Community Safety and Due Process Resolution. The rally was in support of the resolution. The resolution was originally introduced by her. (Charlie Neuman \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly, you\u2019re here because this is important to you and the immigration situation has deeply, deeply impacted your family,\u201d Councilmember Corinna Contreras told the crowd.<\/p>\n
More than one council member called the meeting and public comments \u201cdemocracy in action,\u201d thanking the speakers for their participation in the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very much important that everyone comes out and speaks their minds,\u201d Fox said.<\/p>\n
The council\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Vista is the latest in a series of jurisdictions across the county and nation to adopt local measures related to federal immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0measures in September.\u00a0San 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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