Trump aims to slash refugee admissions and add racist criteria
By Miriam Raftery Image left: Refugee issues covered by ECM over the years includes persecution of Iraqi Christians, Kurdish immigrations fleeing ISIS, a migrant crisis at the Mexican border, asylum seekers fleeing violence in Africa, efforts to help African women refugees, Afghan refugees starting new lives in East County–many after helping the U.S. military, Ukrainians in Santee after Russia’s invasion of their homeland, and cultural celebrations of Asian immigrants in our region. October 19, 2025 (San Diego, CA) – San Diego has admitted more refugees from around the world than any other county in the U.S. in the years just prior to the current Trump administration, welcoming people from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe. Our region has been enriched by these newcomers in many ways, such as the array of international restaurants and cultural attractions in the San Diego region. But President Donald Trump, after already slashing aid to refugees, now proposes to sharply restrict admissions and prioritize admitting predominantly white, English-speaking Europeans who claim persecution due to opposing mass migration or support of “populist” political parties such as far-right neo-Nazi groups in Europe. The New York Times reports that Trump aims to slash refugee admissions from 125,000 to just 7,500 this fiscal year—at a time when the world has 42.7 million documented refugees seeking safe havens. After already announcing priority for White South Afrikaans (the racist former ruling class) despite no evidence of persecution, Trump now wants to prioritize Europeans with views that align with religious or racist extremist groups, according to Human Rights Watch, including a German “anti-immigrant party whose leaders have traffickedin antisemitism and Holocaust denial.”How many people claiming persecution due to opposing mass immigration are currently huddled in refugee camps? “There aren’t any,” Human Rights Watch reports. Yet refugee status is supposed to be defined as people who have fled their homelands due to credible fears of persecution—such as Sudanese refugees in Chad, Myanmar refugees in Bangladesh,and Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The latter are now being deported from Pakistan back to Afghanistan due to Trump yanking protected status from Afghans promised safe haven in the U.S. and now fear for their lives under Taliban rules. Shan VanDiver, director of AfghanEvac, told the UK’s Independent, “When the U.S. signals that some identities are more deserving of safety than others,it diminishes our standing…It tells Afghan allies, persecuted minorities and families still waiting in danger that their sacrifices and their lives matterless. We see this firsthand: thousands of Afghans believed American when we said, 1Stand with us and we’ll stand with you.’ To now prioritize Europeans over them is not just inequitable—it is an unconscionable betrayal.” The new actions come after the administration already slashed financial aid and healthcare for refugees. Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law restricts the eligibility of refugees for Medicaid, Medicare, children’s health insurance and even emergency food aid. Moreover, Secretary of State Marco Rubio shifted over a quarter of a billion dollars out of the department’s Migration and Refugee Assistance Fund into paying immigrants to self-deport. Naomi Steinberg, vice president of U.S. policy for Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the world’s oldest refugee resettlement agency, says Trump’s proposal to radically overhaul of the refugee system in the U.S. would “deliberately leave vulnerable people in danger all around the world, rendering it unrecognizable.”
No Kings rallies draw millions nationally, over 85,000 locally to protest authoritarianism
By Miriam Raftery Photo, right: Washington D.C. No Kings rally, courtesy of organizers October 19, 2025 (San Diego) – No Kings rallies yesterday drew an estimated 7 million protesters nationwide, including estimates ranging from 25,000 to 50,000+ in downtown San Diego’s Waterfront Park and over 35,000 more in rallies held in cities and towns across San Diego County. San Diego organizer Dane Culbreath called the protest “unifying for democracy and opposing the authoritarian trends we are witnessing federally under the Trump Administration.” In East County, participation in the No Kings movement is growing. Organizers and multiple participants estimate El Cajon’s rally at around 3,000 people—triple the size of a June rally. Smaller rallies were held in Borrego Springs and Ramona. Another 400 protested at San Diego State University. Elsewhere in region, Carlsbad drew around 10,000 participants, Rancho Bernardo 5,000, Chula Vista 3,000, and several other communities held smaller rallies. Photo,right: Erica Wyse and her mom came from Alpine to participate in the El Cajon protest. San Diego Police estimated the Waterfront Park rally at 25,000; organizers estimate 50,000+, with other estimates in between. Vice President J.D. Vance, speaking one day before the rallies, called the No Kings rallies a “hate America” movement of “the Marxists, the socialists, the anarchists, and the pro-Hamas wing of the far-left Democratic party.” Local organizers counter, “The far right has called these rallies un-American, but there’s nothing more American than exercising our First Amendment rights to peacefully protest! There were no arrests reported at any No Kings rally nationwide and organizers had urged participants to remain peaceful, belying efforts by the Trump administration to paint the movement as dangerous extremists. Locally, the mood was festive. Many protesters carried flags or wore patriotic garb. Others dressed in inflatable costumes as frogs, unicorns and other whimsical characters, mimicking Portland, Oregon protesters’ tactic to show that their city is not the “war zone” claimed by President Donald Trump. There were drummers, bagpipers, and a variety of other musicians as well. Photo, left A Chula Vista demonstrator in frog costume. Several public officials turned out. Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe spoke at Waterfront Park. Mark Robak, Otay Water Board member, posted on Facebook, “Rode by a pro-democracy gathering. They were all very well behaved and focused on the Constitution. Of course, I was dressed appropriately and riding my Vintage, made in America, Schwinn!” Photo, left: Otay Water Board member Mark Robak and Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow at Waterfront Park A contingent of Native Americans joined the march downtown, where Barona tribal member Bobby Wallace spoke to the large crowd. Photo, right: Bobby Wallace, Barona tribal member, speaks at No Kings rally in Waterfront Park. Some bore pro-immigrant messages to protest the mass deportation tactics of the Trump administration. Photo, left by Suzanne Hansen: protester in El Cajon wears statue of liberty costume with sign bearing the statue’s poem welcoming immigrants. In Ramona, around 300 people joined in the No Kings Protest, where American and gay rights flags could be seen, as well as an inflatable dinosaur Photo, right by Melinda Kelley: Ramona No Kings protest The protests drew people of all ages, from young people to senior citizens. At San Diego State University, around 400 protestors turned out, including students and others. On Facebook, Mitchell Sterling wrote, “Even our quiet, sleepy, tiny town of Borrego Springs, California turned out nearly 200 protestors on No Kings Day (10/18/25) to demand trump and his lawless administration’s removal and the restoration of Democracy!” Not everyone agreed with the sentiments expressed. On Facebook, Ricky Grasser posted, “Seriously, what’s the purpose of dressing up like a goof or something different and walking around in the heat??? Holding ridiculous signs. And after all this time, all they got is Nazi, Dictator, Fascist, King, Seriously…come up with something creative…something that actually applies instead of childish name calling. You guys embarrass yourselves!” Photo, left by Scott Koenig: No Kings protest at SDSU Moving forward, San Diego organizer Culbreath says, “We continue to oppose the efforts to centralize executive power mirroring the plans in Project 2025. We continue to demand the protection for democratic institutions, civil rights and the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and truth over chaos, cruelty and corruption. We also continue to call for elected leadership and good governance that serves the people and not personal power, personal enrichment or spectacle.” Photo, right by Mitchell Sterling: Borrego Springs seniors in lawn chairs portray sign reading “Are we great yet? Cause I just feel embarrassed.”
Destination East County: Notable November Events
October 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – November brings numerous noteworthy events to East County, including the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, an Antique and Craft Fair at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, the Wheel of Fortune live game show at Viejas in Alpine, the award-winning play Copenhagen at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, stargazing at Mission Trails, the Boots and Bells Fashion Show at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon,a Wild West Turkey Stampede at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, and a Chili Cookoff at Circle TLC Ranch in Lakeside. There’s also the brand new Marinelli Brothers Circus at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon, La Mesa historic homes tour, Santee’s holiday tree lighting, a concert at the Magnolia in El Cajon by original Beach Boys member Al Jardine, a Spring Valley 5K run, the Mt. Helix Park turkey trot, Bates Nut Farm’s Holiday Craft Fair in Valley Center, Julian’s Country Christmas, and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon. Scroll down for all the fun and festive details. Ramona Art and Wine Festival Nov. 1 The 13th annual Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival is heading to the Begent Ranch in Ramona on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features wines and craft beverage tastings, all-day live local music, a live auction at 2 p.m. featuring comedian Josh Lawson as auctioneer, and the opportunity to view and buy handcrafted art from local fine artists. In past years, the festival offered catered small bites. This year, organizers reduced ticket prices with vendors offering food for purchase. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project. For more information and tickets, visit RamonaArtAndWineFest.net . Antique and Craft Fair at Summers Past Farms Nov. 1-2 Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs will host an Antique and Craft Fair on Saturday and Sunday,November 1 and 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop from over 50 fine craftsmen and expert artisans offering collectibles, antiques and a garden sale on the farm’s spacious lawn. For details, visit https://www.summerspastfarms.com. Wheel of Fortune at Viejas Nov. 6 Wheel of Fortune is coming to Viejas Casino & Resort on November 8 at 6 p.m. as part of a 60-city national tour. Hosted by a celebrity guest host, Wheel of Fortune LIVE!, will randomly select audience members to come up on stage to spin the famous Wheel and show their skill by calling consonants, buying vowels and solving puzzles for an opportunity to win fantastic prizes, including vacations and cash prizes. Fans of Wheel of Fortune® will also be able to audition on-site for the chance to appear as a contestant on a future episode of the TV show alongside hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White. For tickets, visit https://viejas.com/event/wheel-of-fortune-live/. Copenhagen at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa Nov. 1-9 Lamplighters’ Theatre in La Mesa continues its performances of the Tony-award winning play, Copenhagen November 1 at 7:30 p.m. and again on November 8 and 9 at 2 p.m. The play explores an explosive confrontation inspired by actual events that have intrigued and baffled historians for more than 50 years: a 1941 meeting between two brilliant physicists, Niels Bohr of Denmark and Germany’s Werner Heisenberg. The two men were long-time friends whose work together opened the way to the atomic bomb, but who were now on opposite sides of World War II. This pivotal meeting was a defining moment of the nuclear age, yet its true nature remains a mystery. For tickets and details, visit https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/. Stargazing at Mission Trails Nov. 7 Members of the San Diego Astronomy Association invite you to enjoy stargazing at Mission Trails Regional Park on the first Friday of each month, starting at dusk. The next stargazing event is November 7. Meet at the far end of the Kumeyaay Lake Campground’s Day Use Parking Lot to view the nighttime sky through telescopes, weather permitting. For more information, visit https://mtrp.org/events/ Boots and Belles Fashion Show Nov. 8 The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon will host its first annual Fashion Show Fundraiser – “Boots and Belles: Fashion at the Wieggy” on November 8 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature designs of local artist and designer Dawn Hough Sebaugh, whose WALA Collection blends the color, creativity, and western spirit that defines our community. In addition to models wearing fashionable designs, the event will also feature a silent auction, cocktail fare, wine and soft drinks. Located in the heart of the art district in El Cajon, the museum stands as a tribute to the artist whose vivid portrayals of the American West captured the spirit of a bygone era. Olaf Wieghorst not only painted the West, but he also lived it, working as a cowboy across the West before settling in El Cajon. Known as the dean of Western art, his work has been displayed in the Oval Office by four American Presidents. The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center celebrates the art, culture, and history of the American West. For tickets and reservations, visit https://wieghorstmuseum.org/. Chili Cook-Off Nov. 8 in Lakeside Circle TLC Ranch-Equine Therapy in Lakeside will hold its 14th annual chili cookoff on Saturday, November 8th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The cookoff ( $5 donation) includes tasting and judging chilis as well as a bottle of water. (Children under age 2 will be admitted at no cost.) The event benefits Circle TLC Ranch’s equine therapy programs, which provide a safe space for children, teens, and adults who have experienced trauma, abuse, mental illness, or deep personal struggles. For details, visit https://www.circletlcranch.com/ La Mesa Historic Homes Tour Nov. 8 The La Mesa History Center features its 19th Annual Home Tour on Saturday November 8, 2025. Titled “Golden Gems of La Mesa,” this year’s tour features classic homes in and around La Mesa’s “Downtown Village.” Experience some of La Mesa’s most historic, beautiful, and preserved La Mesa gems including a 1910 landmark, recently confirmed as a design of world renown San Diego architect Irving J. Gill.