Rep. David Valadao, a Republican from California, has expressed his worries about the current immigration enforcement operations in the state. He mentioned that he plans to discuss these issues with the administration, emphasizing the need to prioritize the removal of known criminals who affect the peace of hardworking residents in the valley.
In a related matter, Republican leaders have condemned the anti-ICE protests that are occurring in Los Angeles. The governor of California remarked that these riots were “generated by Donald Trump.” He supported the right to protest peacefully, but firmly denounced the violence and vandalism taking place, stating his support for law enforcement in the area.
The legislative district Valadao represents is quite competitive, with the Cook Political Report categorizing the 2026 race in his area as “Lean Republican.” Recently, discussions emerged around ICE possibly ramping up operations in Central Valley, coinciding with many arrests since Trump took office as the administration pushes for significant deportations.
There has been an ongoing clash between anti-ICE activists and authorities, leading to confrontations at the LAPD headquarters. Meanwhile, Immigration and Customs Enforcement aims to apprehend 3,000 undocumented immigrants each day, focusing particularly on those with criminal convictions. President Trump had previously deployed National Guard troops to California, which has sparked discord between him and state leaders. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized this move, arguing that Trump is not prioritizing the safety of Californians and is exacerbating chaos.
Some have voiced that the California government has supported illegal immigration, claiming that the riots are an attack on ICE officers trying to enforce the law. A House resolution led by Rep. Young Kim, with support from Valadao and other California Republicans, condemns the riots. Kim reiterated that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, criminal activities like vandalism and violence are not acceptable. She urged Governor Newsom to collaborate with President Trump to restore order, noting that the riots intensified before the National Guard’s deployment, attributing this to California’s lenient crime policies.
Fox News Digital has reached out to various federal agencies for comments on the matter.
