Tom Homan, the incoming border czar for President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, is preparing to tackle what he views as a dangerous escalation of sanctuary policies in San Diego County. The Democrat-controlled San Diego County Board of Supervisors recently voted to expand the state’s already stringent sanctuary laws, prompting a fierce response from Homan, who has promised to flood the region with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Earlier this month, the San Diego County Board approved a controversial ordinance that goes beyond California’s existing sanctuary laws. The new policy prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE in nearly all circumstances, including cases where foreign nationals are accused of violent crimes like rape, child abuse, burglary, or gang-related violence.
The measure, spearheaded by Democrat Supervisor Nora Vargas, closes what she described as a “loophole” in state law that previously allowed law enforcement to alert ICE about serious offenders.
Vargas justified the policy by claiming it enhances community safety by “protecting all residents.” The resolution also bars ICE from accessing county facilities or resources, effectively cutting off any local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The policy passed in a 3-1 vote, with the lone dissenting voice being Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond.
Desmond strongly opposed the ordinance, calling it a “super” sanctuary law that prioritizes shielding criminals over public safety.
“This reckless measure not only goes far beyond California’s already extreme Sanctuary State laws but actively endangers our communities by shielding illegal immigrant criminals from deportation,” Desmond said.
He highlighted the policy’s implications, pointing out that under the new rules, local law enforcement cannot notify ICE about individuals in custody who have committed violent crimes.
Homan, tasked with leading Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement agenda, blasted the San Diego lawmakers for their decision. He warned that the county’s new policy would force ICE to adopt more disruptive and resource-intensive methods to detain undocumented immigrants.
“Rather than arresting an illegal alien criminal in the safety and security of a county jail where we know he doesn’t have weapons, they’re forcing ICE officers into the streets, into neighborhoods to find these people,” Homan told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “It’s ridiculous.”
To counteract San Diego’s policy, Homan revealed plans to increase the number of ICE agents operating in the county.
“They can expect a lot more agents in that jurisdiction,” he said. “We’ll send a whole team to safely arrest someone, instead of one guy in a jail.”
San Diego’s decision aligns with a broader trend of sanctuary jurisdictions doubling down on their policies in response to Trump’s election victory. Cities such as Los Angeles, Boston, and Arlington County, Virginia, have recently passed or reaffirmed sanctuary measures.
Former California Governor Jerry Brown, who signed SB 54 into law in 2017 to limit cooperation between local authorities and ICE, criticized the growing extremism of some sanctuary policies. Brown noted that his legislation included exceptions for migrants convicted of violent crimes, adding that some jurisdictions have gone “way, way beyond” what was originally intended.
The expansion of sanctuary policies poses significant challenges to Trump’s plan for mass deportations. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, an estimated eight million undocumented migrants live within sanctuary jurisdictions, which refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Homan questioned the logic of politicians who oppose handing over violent criminals to ICE, calling their stance a threat to public safety.
“I’ve been clear, and President Trump’s been clear: we’re going to concentrate on public safety threats right out of the gate,” Homan said. “What elected official doesn’t want public safety threats removed from their community?”
As Trump prepares to take office, his administration faces resistance from sanctuary jurisdictions across the country. Homan’s strategy to counteract these policies includes deploying additional ICE resources and personnel to areas with heightened sanctuary protections.
The battle over sanctuary laws underscores the broader ideological divide on immigration policy in the United States. Supporters argue that sanctuary policies foster trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, while critics claim they undermine public safety and the rule of law.
For San Diego County, the stakes are high. As ICE ramps up its presence in response to the new ordinance, the region is likely to become a focal point in the national debate over immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies.
Homan remains resolute in his mission, promising swift and decisive action to uphold Trump’s vision of stricter immigration enforcement. Whether San Diego’s expanded sanctuary policy will withstand federal pushback remains to be seen.
1 Comment
Please televise the traitors arrests!