The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions violating federal immigration laws” on Thursday, with 48 counties and 63 cities in California making the list. The federal government warned that these sanctuary areas “intentionally obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endanger the safety of American citizens,” urging them to immediately revise their policies. However, California does not seem to agree with this stance.
The list published by DHS covers over 500 states, counties, and cities across the United States from east to west, with California unsurprisingly among those named. Of California’s 58 counties, 48 counties and 63 cities have been included in the list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” by the federal government. This list will be regularly updated.
California’s inclusion on the list includes counties such as Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Imperial County, San Diego County, San Francisco County/City, among others. Cities like Los Angeles, Long Beach, Malibu, West Hollywood, Pasadena, and Baldwin Park are also on the list.
According to this list and President Trump’s executive order, the Department of Homeland Security will issue formal notices to each jurisdiction on the list, stating that they are in violation of federal laws and engaged in potential criminal activities that violate federal laws. These jurisdictions will be required to promptly review and amend their policies to align with federal immigration laws.
Under the executive order, relevant federal departments will also confirm the federal funds or contracts received by states and local jurisdictions on the “sanctuary jurisdiction” list, and suspend or terminate such federal funding.
If the sanctuary jurisdictions receive notifications and the Trump administration subsequently determines that they are “continuing to resist,” the federal government may resort to necessary “legal remedies and enforcement actions” to ensure compliance.
Regarding this matter, California Attorney General Rob Bonta responded to a journalist from The Epoch Times via email, stating that “California has never hidden the fact that we choose to focus our resources on public safety rather than federal immigration enforcement.”
“The key point is that the Trump administration cannot attempt to coerce or intimidate state and local law enforcement agencies into carrying out federal government duties by publicly releasing this list,” Bonta said. “We will continue to uphold California values.”
California is known as a sanctuary state. In 2017, lawmakers passed the California Values Act, also known as the “sanctuary state law,” which prohibits California law enforcement agencies from notifying federal immigration authorities when undocumented immigrants are released from detention and facing deportation.
The “sanctuary law” also prohibits law enforcement agencies from inquiring about an individual’s immigration status, detaining someone at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or arresting someone based on civil immigration orders, among other measures. The law also prohibits law enforcement departments from participating in border patrol activities.
However, one of President Trump’s main campaign promises during his re-election campaign was the mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants who entered the country unlawfully during the Biden administration.
DHS stated in a press release, “These sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal illegal immigrants from facing consequences and expose law enforcement agencies to serious risks.” By now making these jurisdictions public and holding them accountable for their disregard for the rule of law.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated in a press release, “We are exposing these sanctuary city politicians who harbor criminal illegal immigrants and defy federal laws. President Trump and I always prioritize the safety of American citizens. Sanctuary city politicians must comply with federal laws.”
ICE has already begun to strengthen enforcement efforts, arresting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, including rapists, kidnappers, and gang members, in sanctuary cities prior to this announcement.