Wealthy California beach town approves anti-immigration cameras — one could go on iconic pier

An idyllic California beach town has approved the installation of new cameras along its coastline to allow federal immigration officers to monitor the area.

San Clemente in Orange County, one of the wealthiest cities in the entire country, approved an agreement allowing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to install monitoring devices on a hilltop overlooking the ocean to watch for boats smuggling in immigrants.

“It’s a serious public safety issue, not only for the community, but for the people being smuggled ashore,” said San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Steve Knoblock.

Under the agreement, federal officers would also be able to track people who enter the city by boat into nearby neighborhoods, while the city itself would not have access to the video footage, according to LAist.

The motion passed the five-member council, with three voting in favor, one abstaining and one opposed.