"Escondido is a diverse and vibrant community that celebrates its history and Hispanic influence."

This encouraging statement from the city of Escondido's Web page makes sense in light of the city's demographics. The city's population of 138,000 is ethnically divided between 49 percent white and 42 percent Hispanic.

However, recent acts of the City Council have not been in the best interest of Escondido. No subject has been more divisive than illegal immigration. With a demographic split, no subject has greater potential to polarize Escondido than illegal immigration. But rather than leave well enough alone and let the federal government deal with this complex issue, the City Council decided to take the bull by the horns.

What would motivate a City Council to willingly rip the fragile tapestry that binds Escondido together? No one who loves Escondido would set out with such determination to destroy the city that they had sworn to uphold.

Speculation about motives can often be fruitless. However, one member of the Escondido City Council has not been shy about her aspirations for higher political office. The subject of illegal immigration is a lightning rod, energizing a small but powerful base of support. Such a highly motivated support base could propel a candidate to higher office, all other factors being equal.

Speculation about the benefits and detriments of illegal immigration can often be fruitless. Hard evidence is scarce, because illegal immigrants are naturally adverse to polls and surveys. No statistically valid conclusions can be drawn from the abundance of anecdotal evidence that is available.

Recently, there was an interesting story on PBS about a Hispanic American hero. Although originally an illegal immigrant, he obtained his green card and signed up for the Marines. While in Iraq, he was killed in the battle of Fallujah. He threw his body over a live grenade, willingly sacrificing his life to save the lives of his four comrades.

Why are many evangelical Christians so passionate in their demonizing of illegal immigrants? The primary passion of evangelical Christians is supposed to be sharing the gospel of salvation with the lost.

Illegal immigrants are saving evangelical Christians the cost and effort of sending missionaries to Central and South America. Illegal immigrants are transporting themselves to the doorstep of evangelical Christians. Illegal immigrants are ready to hear the gospel of salvation! American evangelical Christians have lost sight of their primary mission. Their willing participation in the demonizing of illegal immigrants shows how far from God's purposes they have strayed.

Escondido City Council member Marie Waldron ( "Amnesty bill an outrage," Community Forum, May 27) is right about one point.

Now is the time for all good men and women to stand up and be counted. Let your federal elected representatives know that you oppose, with every moral fiber of your being, the demonizing of illegal immigrants.

- Oceanside resident Randy Horton is former mayor of El Centro.