Bill Wells, the mayor of El Cajon, speaks at the U.S. Grant Hotel in 2024. (Photo by Ken Stone/Times of San Diego)

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells lost a battle before the City Council Tuesday as he sought to clear the way for local authorities to support federal deportation efforts.

Wells, who decried illegal immigration during his recent unsuccessful attempt to unseat Congressional Rep. Sara Jacobs, announced on social media that his resolution before the council had failed 3-2.

“Tonight, I urged my colleagues to support a resolution backing federal deportation efforts for criminals — because those who break our laws and threaten our families must be held accountable,” he said in his post. “Unfortunately, the motion failed 3-2, but I want the residents of El Cajon and San Diego County to know this: I will not stop fighting to protect our communities and keep criminals off our streets. Safety isn’t negotiable.”

Ahead of the meeting he explained his stance in another post, saying he proposed “that our city will work with — not against — federal immigration enforcement to ensure that criminals who pose a risk to our residents are removed.”

Pro-immigration advocates with Activist San Diego had urged those opposed to Wells’ effort to attend the afternoon council meeting or call and email elected officials ahead of it.

They also relied on the safety argument, urging followers in an email, “Keep our communities safe! Vote to reject the mayor’s resolution for local police to assist ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).”

The debate has gained new resonance since President Donald Trump took office and immediately began an immigration crackdown, including targeting so-called sanctuary cities, which are protected under state law.

The law, which took effect seven years ago, calls for no state or local resources to be used to assist federal officials as they pursue immigration enforcement.