In recent days, the stable flow of people entering San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego County, California from Tijuana, Mexico has significantly decreased as the Trump administration implements stricter immigration reforms. However, President Trump’s tough immigration policies have also sparked resistance activities in Southern California.
Between the main and secondary border walls at the illegal crossing point named “Whiskey 8” in Tijuana, a tent operated by groups supporting immigrants like Alliance San Diego is currently empty but still prepared with food and water for potential crossers.
In an open letter on January 20th, Alliance San Diego stated that President Trump’s executive orders, particularly those attempting to deport immigrants and close the borders, have caused “fear and anxiety” in immigrant communities. The organization’s mission is to protect human rights, speak the truth, and hold accountable those in the government with bias.
Groups like Alliance San Diego, Catholic charities, and even the Los Angeles Unified School District are promoting “Know Your Rights” cards, also known as “Red Cards,” informing undocumented immigrants not to cooperate with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents until they have seen a valid warrant or contacted a lawyer.
Meanwhile, protesters opposing Trump’s large-scale deportation orders have recently held demonstrations in National City near the US-Mexico border, as well as in Escondido, downtown San Diego, and Los Angeles. More protests are expected to follow.
On February 2nd, hundreds of protesters blocked the 101 freeway in Los Angeles, with some waving Mexican flags.
In Escondido that day, a protester’s sign read, “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” Other signs read, “No one is illegal on stolen land,” “Schools are for educating, not deporting,” “Borders are imaginary, talents are real,” and “Borders are colonialism.”
San Diego County residents who support Trump’s deportation orders, like local activist Audra Morgan, told Epoch Times in an interview that over two hundred protesters peacefully demonstrated in Escondido on February 2nd.
Although many protesters waved Mexican flags, Morgan stated that the border crisis is not just about Mexican nationals. “They protest to keep Mexicans, but I believe they don’t fully understand who is crossing. The crossers come from many different countries… It’s not just against Mexicans.”
“I think this (implementing new orders) is necessary, now border patrol can do their job,” she said.
Morgan anticipates that several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assisting undocumented immigrants will soon exhaust federal funding, and she hopes that Trump cuts off funding support to sanctuary cities. “I think it’s good,” she said. “Resources for these NGOs need to be cut off immediately, because they are the ones promoting and instigating, just like the government needs civilian to do dirty work. That’s why they always bring in NGOs… so no one takes responsibility.”
Morgan pointed out that the Biden administration, NGOs, states, and counties have been shifting responsibility for the border crisis over the past four years. “No one wants to take responsibility, they just want to shift blame,” she said, noting that the county government was willing until recently to “shelter them, provide assistance, and pay for them,” and then say it’s a federal government issue… it’s all nonsense.”
Morgan believes that Trump’s executive orders to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the US are necessary to “address the existing situation.” She said the Trump administration should focus on deporting criminal undocumented immigrants, “but at the same time, all these people have committed federal crimes by coming here, they know that.”
Local activist and co-founder of Restore San Diego, Amy Reichert, said in an interview with Epoch Times that she received “horrible vicious messages” for suggesting protesters wave American flags instead of foreign flags. “I don’t think this action would be welcomed in Tijuana, Mexico—for example, if hundreds of Americans waving American flags were blocking toll booths there.”
“These people support open borders. They call the borders imaginary, say Americans live on stolen land. The messages I received say, ‘Make America Mexico again.'”
She is concerned that such protests will “further divide our country” and criticizes the protesters’ claims that “there is no border whatsoever” or advocating for protecting violent criminals as “absurd.” Her team is focused on the border crisis in light of the Biden administration’s “open border” policy posing a threat to national security and public safety.
However, despite Trump strongly advocating for ending the border crisis and massive deportation of illegal immigrants during his campaign, and many Americans “strongly support deporting those who committed violent crimes,” Reichert believes that Trump struggled to gain enough support to deport “all” illegal immigrants, “most Americans do not have the courage to deport every single illegal immigrant.”
On January 28th, Mayor Bill Wells of El Cajon stated that public safety is his top concern. Previously, a city council proposal supporting federal deportation actions was just defeated with a 2:3 vote.
After meeting with Tom Homan, the border affairs coordinator for the Trump administration, Wells stated, “We will not be a haven for criminals, we will take all necessary measures to protect residents.”
“For a long time, California’s sanctuary policies have sacrificed the interests of law-abiding citizens to protect illegal (immigrant) criminals. These policies prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities, allowing dangerous individuals to stay in our communities and country.” He said in a statement, “This situation must change.”
Wells’ proposal originally aimed to allow El Cajon police officers to cooperate with federal immigration authorities to deport crime-committing illegal immigrants.
On February 5th, Pam Bondi was sworn in as the US Attorney General, pledging to “restore integrity to the justice system” and “make America safe again” at her inauguration. Trump stated that Bondi will be “very fair” and will make fentanyl disappear from the streets.
Bondi has instructed the Justice Department to stop providing any federal funds to sanctuary cities.
Following Trump’s inauguration on January 20th, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immediately announced the cancellation of the appointment feature of the CBP One mobile app, notifying illegal immigrants that their appointments have been canceled.
“Previously, foreigners could submit information in advance and make appointments at eight Southwest border entry points.” CBP confirmed in a statement on January 21st, “All appointments have been canceled.”
(Photo contribution to this article by Epoch Times photographer John Fredricks.) ◇