Trump Allies Warn California Officials of Legal Action Over Sanctuary Policies

Letters from America First Legal caution state and local leaders of potential criminal and civil liability for resisting federal immigration enforcement.

America First Legal, led by Trump advisor Stephen Miller, sent letters to 249 officials nationwide, including prominent California leaders, warning of legal consequences for noncompliance with federal immigration laws.
The letters allege that sanctuary policies, such as those in California, violate federal law and could expose officials to criminal prosecution and civil liability under anti-racketeering statutes.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass dismissed the warnings as baseless scare tactics, citing state laws like Senate Bill 54, which limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
San Diego County recently strengthened its sanctuary policies, prompting pushback from local law enforcement and additional scrutiny from America First Legal, which identified the county as a violator of federal law.
President-elect Trump has pledged the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, setting the stage for legal battles between his administration and Democratic-led states and cities with sanctuary policies.