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Trump's Executive Orders On Immigration And The Real Life Impacts In The Central Valley

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A person in jeans and a t-shirt stands while someone with a vest and gun ties something around them.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents transfer an immigrant after an early morning raid on June 6, 2022. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)

Here are the morning’s top stories on Monday, January 27, 2025…

  • President Trump has wasted no time signing executive orders that threaten the safety and livelihood of thousands of migrants living in California. That’s left many in the Central Valley feeling mixed emotions. Meanwhile, some schools in California are informing families of their rights, when it comes to immigration.
  • President Trump wants to deport undocumented immigrants who are accused of crimes. But working with immigration enforcement could mean skirting around California’s sanctuary law. Our partner CalMatters asked all 58 California sheriffs if they’ll agree to work with ICE.

How California Prepares For Trump Immigration Policies 

President Trump kicked off a slew of executive actions related to immigration in a signing ceremony at the Oval Office. He signed a series of actions related to the border, including “realigning” the Refugee Admission Program, designating cartels as foreign terrorist organization, declaring a national emergency at the southern border, and ending automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents who don’t have legal status — a controversial constitutional question that is likely to face immediate legal challenges.

In the last weeks of former President Joe Biden’s administration, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation swept through parts of the San Joaquin Valley, sowing chaos in a region where much of the nation’s fresh fruits and vegetables are grown by a workforce that is overwhelmingly Latino and undocumented.

Many in the Central Valley are already taking precautions. Some are staying home from work, while others are ordering their groceries to be delivered, so they won’t have to leave home.

Trump Wants To Deport Immigrants Accused Of Crimes. California Sheriffs Could Make That Easy

California sheriffs once again find themselves navigating a difficult political calculus on immigration as President Donald Trump begins his second term.

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They can enforce a state sanctuary law that some of them personally oppose, or they can roll out the welcome mat to federal immigration enforcement authorities whom Trump has promised will carry out the largest deportation program in American history.

Some California sheriffs have pledged not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement authorities, based on their own policies or laws passed by their counties, and will forbid immigration agents from using county personnel, property or databases without a federal warrant.

Others said that while California law prevents direct cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, immigration authorities are free to use their jail websites and fingerprints databases to identify people of interest.

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