California officials could face jail time if they attempt to block the administration’s immigration agenda, according to a recent letter to state and local leaders from Trump ally Stephen Miller’s non-profit, America First Legal (AFL). At issue is California’s “Sanctuary State” law, which seeks to prevent state resources from being used to assist with federal immigration enforcement. And several local jurisdictions, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, have also passed their own sanctuary laws. In the letter, sent to 249 state and local officials across the U.S., AFL warned that sanctuary jurisdictions were violating federal law and that officials “could face criminal prosecution and civil liability.” We’ll look at how California and sanctuary cities are preparing to respond to the new federal policies, including a possible mass deportation program.
Trump Allies Already Pressuring State Leaders on Immigration
People in the audience hold up signs in support of immigrants as the Los Angeles City Council considers a "sanctuary city" ordinance during a meeting at City Hall in Los Angeles, California, on November 19, 2024. (ETIENNE LAURENT via Getty Images)
Guests:
Hamed Aleaziz, reporter covering the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy, The New York Times
Ahilan Arulanantham, faculty co-director, Center for Immigration Law & Policy, UCLA School of Law; former Legal Director ACLU of Southern California
Darrell Steinberg, former mayor of Sacramento
Francisco Ugarte, managing attorney of the Immigration Defense Unit, Office of the San Francisco Public Defender
Sponsored