SoCal Mayor Fears Police Could Face Criminal Charges for Helping Deport Illegal Immigrants

The mayor of El Cajon, near the U.S.–Mexico border, hopes to clarify the state’s sanctuary law and comply with federal deportations.

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells (C) speaks to police officers in this undated photo on his campaign website. He is concerned about officers facing criminal charges and civil liability if they comply with federal deportation programs, he said on Nov. 26. Courtesy of William Wells

A Southern California mayor sounded an alarm on Nov. 25 that complying with federal deportations could violate California’s sanctuary law and put police officers in his city at risk of losing their jobs and their pensions.

Bill Wells, mayor of El Cajon, about 40 miles from the U.S.–Mexico border in San Diego County, claims that city police officers could face misdemeanor charges in California if they cooperate with federal authorities to deport illegal immigrants.