University of Oregon students rally in support of a Columbia student detained by ICE.
San Diego, California – Protesters gathered at Civic Plaza in El Cajon on Tuesday, demanding answers following a recent ICE raid at an East County business that left several employees facing serious legal charges. The raid occurred last week at San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings, where federal agents detained workers, some of whom were led away in zip ties. Four individuals, including the company’s general manager, John Washburn, now face criminal charges. Washburn is accused of conspiracy to harbor aliens, while three other employees face charges related to using false documents to secure employment in the U.S.
“Whether you’re an immigrant or not, families across the country are seeing what’s happening with these ICE raids, and people are scared,” said Salvador Sarmiento, National Day Labor Organizing Network Campaign Director. The protest, which drew concerned community members, is part of a growing backlash against federal immigration enforcement in the region, especially after the raid’s emotional impact on families.
Mairene Branham, president of Latinos En Accion, spoke passionately about the personal toll of the raid. “Somebody’s parent was deported after working at the company for 18 years … all that we did was cripple that family. That’s what we did,” she said. Community members like Branham are increasingly worried about the long-term effects of such operations, which they say tear apart local families and undermine the sense of safety in the area.
Protesters also expressed concerns about possible complicity between local officials and federal immigration enforcement. Sarmiento raised the issue of city leadership’s involvement in these actions, filing an open public records request with the City of El Cajon. “We’re here in front of the City Council to make sure that we uncover the truth about what the mayor and city council members are doing to separate families,” he said.
The protest highlights a rising tension between local communities and federal immigration policies, especially in areas like El Cajon, where immigrant families fear further raids and deportations. The demonstrators stressed that transparency and accountability from local government leaders are crucial to ensuring that El Cajon remains a place of safety and inclusivity for all residents. Branham, echoing sentiments of the group, believes that access to such information will allow voters to make more informed decisions in future elections.
