The Trump administration’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan, plans to address key jurisdictions that have recently strengthened their statewide sanctuary laws.
In early December, the Democratic-dominated San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to expand California’s sanctuary policy, which already limits local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). did. Currently, a countywide ordinance prohibits law enforcement from reporting to ICE agents even if an alien commits serious crimes such as rape, child abuse, robbery, gang violence, or other violent acts. has been done. (Related: Former Democratic governor who solidified California’s sanctuary law now says it went too far)
Homan, who is tasked with fulfilling President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to mass arrest and deport illegal immigrants across the United States, blamed the lawmakers involved in the vote, which resulted in the introduction of ICE in nearby areas. He said he could simply expect more staff.
“Rather than arresting illegal alien criminals in the safe and secure confines of county jails where they are known to be unarmed, we force ICE agents onto the streets and neighborhoods to find them. “There are,” Homan told the paper. Caller News Foundation. “That’s ridiculous.”
San Ysidro, California – May 7: Deputy Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan and Border Patrol agents shake hands after a press conference at Border Field State Park on May 7, 2018 in San Ysidro, California. . (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
“[Sanctuary laws] It’s going to be more difficult, but it doesn’t mean we won’t do it,” Homan said. “That means we have more agents in San Diego, because instead of one guy arresting one guy in jail, we have to send out a whole team to safely arrest a guy. So you can expect to have more investigators in that jurisdiction.”
in her proposal Regarding the policy change, Democratic Supervisor Nora Vargas called a provision in California law that created an exception for foreign nationals with serious criminal records a “loophole” that “falls short of protecting all residents.” . The proposal passed on a 3-1 vote, with Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond casting the only vote against it.
The resolution calls on San Diego County to no longer allow ICE officers to use county facilities for any purpose, to no longer respond to ICE inquiries, or to assist with other civilian immigration enforcement matters. are.
In a scathing public statement after the bill passed, Desmond called the policy a “super” sanctuary law that protects criminal illegal immigrants.
“This reckless action not only goes far beyond California’s already extreme sanctuary state law, but it actively endangers our communities by protecting criminal illegal immigrants from deportation. Please think about it Under this policy, law enforcement agencies are prohibited from notifying ICE of individuals in their custody who have committed violent and heinous crimes, including rape and stalking, assault and battery, robbery, and child abuse. Desmond said. Statement submitted to DCNF in early December.
Former Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown, who signed SB54 in 2017 barring ICE from working with local governments, said in a December interview that some cities in the state are now “far beyond.” He said he was confident. He pointed out what’s on the books and that the statewide policy makes exceptions for immigrants convicted of violent crimes.
The vote in San Diego County was just one of several moves by Democratic-controlled jurisdictions to tighten sanctuary policies in the wake of President Trump’s election victory. Lawmakers from Los Angeles, Boston, Arlington County and Virginia all voted to either formalize sanctuary laws or reaffirm laws already in place, along with other Democratic mayors. They have also expressed public opposition to President Trump’s commitment to tough immigration control. agenda.
Such efforts to refuse cooperation could pose problems for the Trump administration’s large-scale enforcement plans. The Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that advocates for stricter immigration laws, estimates that: almost 8 million Illegal immigrants currently live within the sanctuary’s jurisdiction.
Homan expressed confusion at politicians unwilling to hand over violent criminals to ICE so they no longer pose a threat to their constituents.
“I’m clear and President Trump is clear: We’re going to suddenly focus on threats to public safety,” Homan told DCNF. “What elected official wouldn’t want a public safety threat removed from their community?”
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