Latest news with #CaliforniaValuesAct
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
DOJ seeks to 'neutralize' California sanctuary state law by issuing federal warrants
The U.S. Attorney's Office has announced a plan that's already underway to circumvent California's so-called "sanctuary state" law that prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials by directly issuing federal arrest warrants for undocumented immigrants being held in jails across the state. U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli outline the program, dubbed "Operation Guardian Angel," on May 19. The operation, which began May 10, "seeks to neutralize California's sanctuary state policy and protect Americans from criminal illegal aliens incarcerated in county jails by issuing federal arrest warrants for them," according to a statement from his office. Thirteen defendants had already been taken into federal custody under the program as of May 15, officials said. As Operation Guardian Angel continues, DOJ staff will file complaints and federal arrest warrants "to take as many defendants as possible into custody from state jails," the statement said. Essayli said the program is necessary due to California's policies. "Even the worst criminal aliens in state custody are frequently released into the community because California's sanctuary state policies block cooperation with federal law enforcement," he said. "These laws effectively render federal immigration detainers meaningless," Essayli continued. "The days of giving criminal illegal aliens a free pass are over. While California may be presently disregarding detainers, it cannot ignore federal arrest warrants." As an example, federal officials cited the case of José Cristian Saravia-Sánchez, 30, of Mexico, who stands accused of shooting and killing a man who tried to stop him from stealing a catalytic converter in Inglewood in February of 2025. "Despite the fact he was an illegal alien who had been convicted of vehicle theft, was removed from the United States in 2013, and had been arrested 11 times between June 2022 and August 2024, local law enforcement was prevented by state law from complying with an immigration detainer request," the DOJ statement said. California enacted Senate Bill 54, also known as the California Values Act, in 2017. It has since been written into law as California Government Code 7284. It bars local law enforcement officials from cooperating with federal immigration officials in most circumstances. The bill mandates that California law enforcement agencies shall not use any department resources or personnel to "investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest persons for immigration enforcement purposes," the law reads. Prohibited activities specifically barred in the code include inquiring into an individual's immigration status; detaining an individual on the basis of a hold request; providing information to immigration officials, except under specified circumstances; participating in arrests based on civil immigration warrants; and performing functions of an immigration officer, among others. The Central District of California includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Trump administration seeks to thwart California sanctuary state law
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
DOJ seeks to 'neutralize' California's sanctuary state law by issuing federal warrants
The U.S. Attorney's Office has announced a plan that's already underway to circumvent California's so-called "sanctuary state" law that prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials by directly issuing federal arrest warrants for undocumented immigrants being held in jails across the state. U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli outline the program, dubbed "Operation Guardian Angel," on May 19. The operation, which began May 10, "seeks to neutralize California's sanctuary state policy and protect Americans from criminal illegal aliens incarcerated in county jails by issuing federal arrest warrants for them," according to a statement from his office. Thirteen defendants had already been taken into federal custody under the program as of May 15, officials said. As Operation Guardian Angel continues, DOJ staff will file complaints and federal arrest warrants "to take as many defendants as possible into custody from state jails," the statement said. Essayli said the program is necessary due to California's policies. "Even the worst criminal aliens in state custody are frequently released into the community because California's sanctuary state policies block cooperation with federal law enforcement," he said. "These laws effectively render federal immigration detainers meaningless," Essayli continued. "The days of giving criminal illegal aliens a free pass are over. While California may be presently disregarding detainers, it cannot ignore federal arrest warrants." As an example, federal officials cited the case of José Cristian Saravia-Sánchez, 30, of Mexico, who stands accused of shooting and killing a man who tried to stop him from stealing a catalytic converter in Inglewood in February of 2025. "Despite the fact he was an illegal alien who had been convicted of vehicle theft, was removed from the United States in 2013, and had been arrested 11 times between June 2022 and August 2024, local law enforcement was prevented by state law from complying with an immigration detainer request," the DOJ statement said. California enacted Senate Bill 54, also known as the California Values Act, in 2017. It has since been written into law as California Government Code 7284. It bars local law enforcement officials from cooperating with federal immigration officials in most circumstances. The bill mandates that California law enforcement agencies shall not use any department resources or personnel to "investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest persons for immigration enforcement purposes," the law reads. Prohibited activities specifically barred in the code include inquiring into an individual's immigration status; detaining an individual on the basis of a hold request; providing information to immigration officials, except under specified circumstances; participating in arrests based on civil immigration warrants; and performing functions of an immigration officer, among others. The Central District of California includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: DOJ seeks to thwart California's sanctuary state law through warrants
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
California sues over Trump policy tying transportation grants to immigration
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta filed two lawsuits on Tuesday challenging a Trump administration policy that would deny the state billions of dollars in transportation grants unless it follows the administration's lead on immigration enforcement. 'Let's be clear about what's happening here," Bonta said in a statement. "The President is threatening to yank funds to improve our roads, keep our planes in the air, prepare for emergencies, and protect against terrorist attacks if states do not fall in line with his demands." "He's treating these funds, which have nothing to do with immigration enforcement and everything to do with the safety of our communities, as a bargaining chip," Bonta added. Read more: A sanctuary law aimed to 'Trump-proof' California on immigration. What has it accomplished? The lawsuits, filed with a coalition of states against the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, argue that imposing the new set of conditions across a broad range of grant programs exceeds the administration's legal authority. Last month, Trump signed an executive order aiming to identify and possibly cut off federal funds to so-called sanctuary cities and states, which limit collaboration between local law enforcement and immigration authorities. 'It's quite simple,' said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a briefing announcing the executive order. 'Obey the law, respect the law, and don't obstruct federal immigration officials and law enforcement officials when they are simply trying to remove public safety threats from our nation's communities.' Cities and states that find themselves on the Trump administration's list could also face criminal and civil rights lawsuits, as well as charges for violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. During Trump's first term in 2018, California legislators passed a pioneering sanctuary law, the California Values Act. California receives more than $15.7 billion in transportation grants annually to maintain roads, highways, railways, airways and bridges, Bonta's office said. That includes $2 billion for transit systems, including buses, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries. Read more: California has sued Trump 15 times in his first 100 days. Where do those cases stand? The state also receives $20.6 billion in yearly homeland security grants to prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks and other catastrophes. Those funds include emergency preparedness and cybersecurity grants. But the coalition of states — California, Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island — argued that because such grant funding has no connection to immigration enforcement, the Trump administration cannot impose criteria that forces states to comply with its vision of enforcement. 'President Trump doesn't have the authority to unlawfully coerce state and local governments into using their resources for federal immigration enforcement — and his latest attempt to bully them into doing so is blatantly illegal,' Bonta said. This story will be updated. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
California sues over Trump policy tying transportation grants to immigration
WASHINGTON — California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta filed two lawsuits on Tuesday challenging a Trump administration policy that would deny the state billions of dollars in transportation grants unless it follows the administration's lead on immigration enforcement. 'Let's be clear about what's happening here,' Bonta said in a statement. 'The President is threatening to yank funds to improve our roads, keep our planes in the air, prepare for emergencies, and protect against terrorist attacks if states do not fall in line with his demands.' 'He's treating these funds, which have nothing to do with immigration enforcement and everything to do with the safety of our communities, as a bargaining chip,' Bonta added. The lawsuits, filed with a coalition of states against the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, argue that imposing the new set of conditions across a broad range of grant programs exceeds the administration's legal authority. Last month, Trump signed an executive order aiming to identify and possibly cut off federal funds to so-called sanctuary cities and states, which limit collaboration between local law enforcement and immigration authorities. 'It's quite simple,' said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a briefing announcing the executive order. 'Obey the law, respect the law, and don't obstruct federal immigration officials and law enforcement officials when they are simply trying to remove public safety threats from our nation's communities.' Cities and states that find themselves on the Trump administration's list could also face criminal and civil rights lawsuits, as well as charges for violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. During Trump's first term in 2018, California legislators passed a pioneering sanctuary law, the California Values Act. California receives more than $15.7 billion in transportation grants annually to maintain roads, highways, railways, airways and bridges, Bonta's office said. That includes $2 billion for transit systems, including buses, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries. The state also receives $20.6 billion in yearly homeland security grants to prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks and other catastrophes. Those funds include emergency preparedness and cybersecurity grants. But the coalition of states — California, Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island — argued that because such grant funding has no connection to immigration enforcement, the Trump administration cannot impose criteria that forces states to comply with its vision of enforcement. 'President Trump doesn't have the authority to unlawfully coerce state and local governments into using their resources for federal immigration enforcement — and his latest attempt to bully them into doing so is blatantly illegal,' Bonta said. This story will be updated.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
California sheriff vows to defy statewide sanctuary law: ‘This is common sense'
Amador County Sheriff Gary Redman waded into a bit of controversy this year when he openly said he would buck a California law that limits cooperation between local and federal authorities. Citing his duty to enforce public safety in his rural county located 135 miles east of San Francisco, Redman remains the only sheriff in the state who has pledged to defy California's 2017 sanctuary state law, also known as the California Values Act, or SB 54. More specifically, Redman said he will contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when he's aware that a person in local custody is in the country illegally and poses a serious public safety threat. "It's almost [like] we're going to re-victimize the victim again. That's what I see with this law," Redman told Fox News Digital. "How can you tell me that I have to let somebody who is here illegally in the country … and put them back into society when they've committed a heinous crime?" California Enclave Declares Itself 'Non-sanctuary' City, Will Work With Immigration Officials, Trump Admin "You're making me make that choice. Well, I'm just not willing to do it because I got elected to be the sheriff of Amador County, where public safety is my No. 1priority," he added. Read On The Fox News App The vow goes against SB 54, which allows local authorities to contact ICE only when an illegal immigrant is convicted of certain offenses and is about to be released from custody. State lawmakers passed the law during the first Trump administration in an effort to ensure that local law enforcement is not used to assist immigration officials. Fox News Digital has reached out to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), various immigrant rights groups, the Amador County and statewide Republican and Democratic parties, and the governor's office for comment on the matter. "I worked in the justice system for years and saw how weak laws put the public in danger," California Republican Party Chair Corrin Rankin told Fox News Digital. "What we're hearing from Sheriff Redman is what many in law enforcement have been saying for a long time: California's sanctuary state law makes it harder to stop violent criminals." South Carolina Ag Takes On Illegal Immigrant Hit-and-run, Promises Criminals 'We're Coming For You' "Democrats in Sacramento passed these laws knowing they tie the hands of sheriffs and police. When local officials see a threat, they should be able to act," Rankin added. Around 6% of Amador County's 42,000 residents are foreign-born, according to U.S. Census data. Despite the low figure, Asian gangs with illegal immigrants have set up marijuana-growing operations in the area, Redman said. "That's what we dealt with over the last 10 years," Redman said. The sheriff announced his stance on the sanctuary state law in a February news release posted to the Amador County Sheriff's Office Facebook page in response to persistent questions from residents about how his office would handle immigration-related matters during President Donald Trump's second term. Blue State County Faces Backlash After Failed Vote To Scrap 'Super Sanctuary' Policy: 'Fringe Democrats' While other sheriffs across the state have said they will work around SB 54, Redman's announcement is different in that he makes it clear that he knows he will violate state law. That has put him in the crosshairs of the California Attorney General's Office. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has pledged to protect immigrant communities up and down the state by upholding SB 54, despite detractors pointing out that it allows criminal illegal immigrants to walk the streets and possibly reoffend, sometimes violently. In an email to Fox News Digital, Bonta's office noted that federal courts have ruled that the state sanctuary law doesn't conflict with federal law. "The Attorney General is committed to protecting and ensuring the rights of California's immigrant communities and upholding vital laws like SB 54, which ensure that state and local resources go toward fighting crime in California communities, not toward federal immigration enforcement," the email states. "Federal courts have upheld SB 54 and have found it to not be in conflict with federal law (the Ninth Circuit's 2019 opinion is attached for reference)," his office said. "We are closely monitoring law enforcement compliance with SB 54." La Suburb Doubles Down On Sanctuary City Policies As Neighboring City Burns Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., who recently introduced federal legislation that would enable local authorities that wish to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement to do so regardless of any state law, cited the case of David Mora, 39, who overstayed his visa after entering California in 2018 from Mexico. In 2022, ICE asked to be notified upon Mora's release from jail after his arrest for assaulting a California Highway Patrol officer. The Merced County Sheriff's Office had Mora in custody and received a request from ICE to detain him, but Mora was released because of the sanctuary law, the sheriff's office said. He then killed his three daughters inside a Sacramento church as well as a chaperone who was supervising his visit with the children, before taking his own life. "There is no doubt in my mind that if I was able to cooperate with ICE, this tragedy could have been avoided," Merced County Sheriff Vernon H. Warnke said in a statement at the time. "Under current law, nationwide law enforcement's hands are tied with policies that have a significant impact on our communities and their quality of life." "The sanctuary law is utterly indefensible," Kiley told Fox News Digital. "It has led to many, many tragedies across the state. It's one of the reasons California has had the very worst illegal immigration problem during the Biden administration." He added the law was "legally dubious" in that it seeks to violate federal law. Click Here For More Immigration Coverage Redman, who grew up in progressive Los Angeles County, said he partially came out publicly with his stance on the sanctuary law because of the Trump administration and its willingness to defend local officials who work with ICE. "I've always felt this way, but there wasn't a chance in hell I was going to say this under the Biden administration," Redman said. "I didn't trust the attorney general at the time. I didn't trust the Biden administration as far as coming after me. Absolutely, I don't think that's going to happen under the Trump administration." Among California sheriffs, Redman, who considers himself a moderate Republican, stands alone. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is running to become California's next governor, has advocated for abolishing sanctuary state policies and requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. In addition to Redman, two California cities, Huntington Beach and Oroville, have defiantly declared themselves non-sanctuary cities. In Amador County, nearly 49% of voters are registered Republicans, dwarfing the 27% who align with Democrats, according to the California Secretary of State's office. That could be a reason why a petition calling for Redman to be removed has only received 53 signatures since March 1. "I'm friends with a lot of progressives here in Amador County, and what they've always found is I'm reasonable and I'm willing to listen," Redman said. "My Democratic friends have come out and said, 'We support you, Gary. This is common sense. We're tired of California and the way California's going where they continue to elevate criminals.'"Original article source: California sheriff vows to defy statewide sanctuary law: 'This is common sense'
