February 25, 2026 – Protesters rallied at City Hall in Escondido, CA to call for an end to the city’s contract allowing ICE to use a police firing range. Nearly 200 concerned citizens spoke out against the contract during the comments session of the City Council meeting following the rally. Hundreds more were denied entry and waited anxiously outside for the decision.

Local anti-ICE activists noted that the contract impacts far beyond Escondido, putting people throughout San Diego County at risk to the sort of violence the rogue agency has been perpetrating nationwide.

After hours of waiting outside in darkness, the result of the meeting was announced to the crowd. Despite overwhelming public support for ending the contract, all four Republican members of the City Council voted against cancellation, ensuring it would continue.

Outraged protesters were in disbelief that two of the GOP council members who are Latino, including the deputy mayor, voted against the interests of a majority Latino city.

Watch our full report including interviews on YouTube and be sure to Like, Share, and Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WizImGUraS0