(news nation) — New policy prohibiting San Diego County law enforcement from contacting ICE without a warrant in cases of criminal activity. Illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes Their detention is now in effect, giving the county what one local official called “super sanctuary” status.
of San Diego Board of Supervisors They voted this week to approve a resolution that would give more protections to immigrants accused or convicted of crimes such as rape and kidnapping. California’s existing sanctuary law. Opponents argue that the county ordinance adds another layer of bureaucracy, although state law establishes certain scenarios that allow local and federal officials to communicate.
that is a concern jim desmondthe only county supervisor to vote against the ordinance. Desmond, a Republican who sponsored “super-sanctuary status,” said the ordinance would make it easier for immigrants charged with heinous violent crimes, gang activity and weapons offenses to return to the streets of San Diego County.
County officials are now suddenly required to obtain a warrant from a state or federal judge to contact ICE, and this additional step provides undocumented immigrants with additional security they did not previously have. That will happen.
“It sends a message that our neighbors are going to be less and less safe and the government is going to prioritize the rights of the people who are illegally committing crimes here,” Desmond told NewsNation. .
San Diego’s unique protected area status
California is one of them. 13 states retain sanctuary status It is designed to protect immigrants and asylum seekers who have entered the United States illegally. In doing so, all counties in the state would be considered sanctuary counties and interactions between local and federal immigration officials would be limited.
However, given San Diego's proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and the number of illegal border crossings from 2022 onward, President-elect Donald Trump and his “Border Emperor” Tom Homan They have targeted sanctuary states and cities that they say complicate the incoming administration's mass deportation efforts.
In addition to having a high number of illegal border crossings, San Diego, the largest city along the southern border, continues to have one of the highest human trafficking and fentanyl entry rates in the United States, Desmond said. However, these designations did not prevent county supervisors from changing county policy.
Chairman Nora Vargas He said the new ordinance will ensure local resources are focused on responding to the county's emergency needs while also protecting families and promoting community trust.
“Our county will not be a tool for policies that hurt our residents,” Vargas said, according to the report. NBC 7 in San Diego.
Illegal immigration remains an issue in San Diego County, with 116 people asking to speak on the topic at this week's meeting. KPBS reported. An additional 539 residents submitted written comments, with approximately 300 supporting the new measure and 200 opposing the proposed measure.
Since 2022, approximately 155,000 immigrants and asylum seekers have been “thrown” onto the streets of San Diego County by illegal immigration, Desmond said. At the meeting, he cited three incidents of violence allegedly committed by illegal immigrants in California. Among them was San Jose resident Bambi Larson. Stabbed at home in 2019 According to police, the attack was committed by a man who was living in the United States illegally.
San Jose police said the suspect in the case, Carlos Eduardo Arevalo Carranza, has a long criminal history and is a confirmed gang member. Desmond said he was released from custody under California's existing sanctuary law.
Desmond said San Diego County has spent $5 million over the past three years to provide legal counsel to undocumented immigrants facing deportation. He said the spending prioritizes illegal immigrants over immigrants and local residents who are here legally. Desmond called the new policy “flawed and reckless” and said it “puts every member of our community at risk.”
Desmond told regulators, “These tragedies are preventable, but sanctuary laws allow them to occur by allowing illegal criminals to be released back into our communities rather than being handed over to ICE.'' “There is,” he said.
San Diego County Sheriff responds
Immediately after this week's Board of Supervisors vote, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly MartinezDemocrat; issued a statement The department said it does not intend to change policy based on the board's actions.
“As sheriff, I will continue to follow state law,” Martinez said. “We believe it is critically important that all members of our community live with dignity, security, and opportunities to thrive.”
Martinez cited a state law that allows his office to share the release dates of “convicted” inmates in custody. She said regulators are aware of her position and state law prohibits the agency from interfering with the functioning of her job.
Martinez said his top priority remains protecting the safety of all residents of San Diego County's diverse communities.
“While it is critical to protect the rights of undocumented immigrants, it is equally important to ensure that victims of crime are not overlooked or ignored in the process,” Martinez said. “Victims include undocumented immigrants. These vulnerable people fear that their legal status will be used as a weapon against them when criminals in their communities victimize them. express to me.”
what happens next
Like other public officials, Desmond expects illegal border crossings to decrease once President Trump takes office on January 20.
He said regardless of political affiliation, San Diego County officials want the border with Mexico to be safer. Desmond told NewsNation he is in favor of immigrants legally entering and remaining in the United States.
But he said that while his fellow supervisors support deporting immigrants convicted of serious crimes, the county's new policy creates hurdles in the level of cooperation between counties and federal authorities. He said there was.
That, in addition to putting the safety of county residents at risk, is one of Desmond's complaints about this week's board vote.
“A lot of people are fed up,” Desmond told NewsNation. “We want change. Everyone wants change. It's a security issue. We want immigration, but we want people to cross the border and jump to the front of the line. We want to do it legally instead of.”
