California Attorney General Urges Residents to Report State Agencies Aiding Immigration Authorities
The advisory responds to President-elect Donald Trump’s sweeping deportation strategy intended to tackle illegal immigration.
This appeal coincided with an announcement advising California’s courts, healthcare facilities, libraries, and other public institutions to develop policies that complicate federal law enforcement’s ability to deport undocumented immigrants.
This advisory is a reaction to remarks made by President-elect Donald Trump during his campaign and following the election that indicated deportations would be a key aspect of his national security strategies, according to the attorney general, and updates guidance first released in 2018 during Trump’s initial presidency.
“We will not permit safe environments like libraries, hospitals, and courthouses to be seized and used for [Trump’s] inhumane immigration objectives,” Bonta stated. “My office will persist in leveraging the full weight of the law and every tool at our disposal to safeguard the rights of immigrants in California, and we need personnel in these vital areas to do the same.”
Related Stories
“We cannot permit the Trump deportation apparatus to instigate a climate of fear and distrust that stops immigrants from utilizing essential public services,” Bonta emphasized.
State courts, public schools, and publicly funded healthcare facilities must adhere to the attorney general’s directives and formulate policies that coincide with his guidance. Other institutions are encouraged to comply voluntarily.
The guidelines state that collaboration between federal immigration officials and state institutions is problematic as it “diverts state resources, obscures lines of accountability, and jeopardizes the trust between immigrant communities and state and local agencies that offer essential public services.”
Customs agency warrants can be disregarded, based on the attorney general’s recommendations, due to their lack of authority compared to court warrants, and state law forbids local agencies from consenting to immigration officers’ search requests.
The guidance also suggests the use of pseudonyms to protect victims, witnesses, and others from potential enforcement actions.
Additionally, courts are encouraged to reduce in-person appearances and should consider not penalizing those who miss court because of fear of immigration officials.
All institutions should avoid disclosing information that may reveal an individual’s undocumented status.
Policies ought to refer requests from federal authorities to legal counsel or administrators, and all instances should be documented as per the guidelines.
Staff should receive training on addressing immigration enforcement requests and must direct individuals accessing services to information about their privacy rights, as mandated by the attorney general.
Trump’s appointed border czar, Tom Homan, recently cautioned state officials against obstructing federal efforts.
Tom Homan, appointed by President-elect Donald Trump as border czar, addressed Operation Lone Star members at the Texas border on Nov. 26. Darlene McCormick Sanchez/The Epoch Times
He indicated plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
“Let me clarify. There will be mass deportation as we have just witnessed a mass illegal immigration crisis,” Homan asserted. “If you allow them to stay, you’ll never restore order at the border. This is a nation of laws, and we will enforce those laws.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom commented during a press briefing at the border in San Diego County on Dec. 5, stressing that the state does not obstruct the federal government in utilizing its own resources to enforce federal laws and cooperates “in many instances.”
He expressed concerns regarding the potential impacts of widespread deportations, noting that approximately half of California’s farmworkers are undocumented immigrants, according to the governor.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announces substantial spending cuts during his press conference at the Capitol on May 10. Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times
“The repercussions of mass deportation on food prices in this state and across the nation are immense,” Newsom remarked. “This is a serious issue.”
The president-elect’s transition team stated that his significant victory margin signals that Americans wish for him to focus on his agenda of securing the border and enhancing public safety.
“President Trump will utilize every federal and state authority necessary to carry out the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug traffickers, and human traffickers in American history while simultaneously lowering costs for families,” Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team, told The Epoch Times via email on Nov. 27.
“The American people overwhelmingly re-elected President Trump, giving him a mandate to fulfill the promises he made on the campaign trail, such as deporting criminal migrants and restoring our economic prosperity. He will deliver.”
