In a bold move, America First Legal Foundation, led by Trump adviser Stephen Miller, has issued stern warnings to California leaders about potential criminal consequences for their sanctuary city policies.
The conservative organization sent letters to 249 elected officials, including San Diego County supervisors and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, claiming they could face criminal charges for impeding federal immigration enforcement.
The warnings come after San Diego County recently strengthened protections for undocumented residents. On December 12, the county enacted a policy requiring judicial warrants before local law enforcement can communicate with immigration authorities about individuals in local jails.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta dismissed the threats as "scare tactics," noting that California's sanctuary law was previously upheld by courts during Trump's first administration. The law limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas, who recently stepped down citing security concerns, defended the new policy. "This policy was developed through rigorous legal review and stands in full compliance with federal, state and local laws," she stated.
Legal experts question the foundation's claims. Ahilan Arulanantham from UCLA School of Law points out that declining to share immigration status information does not constitute harboring federal fugitives, as suggested in the warning letters.
California officials appear ready for potential legal battles. Governor Gavin Newsom has requested $25 million from the Legislature for anticipated legal fights with the incoming Trump administration over immigration and other issues.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between federal and local authorities over immigration enforcement. With Trump promising the "largest mass deportation campaign in U.S. history," sanctuary jurisdictions could become a major battleground in immigration policy debates.
This latest development mirrors previous conflicts during Trump's first term, when his administration unsuccessfully attempted to overturn California's sanctuary laws and threatened to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions refusing to cooperate with immigration authorities.