The federal government has implemented a new legal approach to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in areas that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, often referred to as “sanctuary jurisdictions.”
These sanctuary policies typically prevent local law enforcement from honoring ICE detainer requests for individuals arrested on unrelated charges. However, under a federal initiative, authorities are now charging repeat border crossers with felony reentry, which falls under federal jurisdiction and cannot be ignored by local officials.
Journalist and columnist Marc Thiessen discussed the strategy on a recent broadcast, highlighting that local jurisdictions are legally required to comply with federal felony warrants, even if they do not honor civil detainers. The policy, informally referred to as “Operation Guardian Angel,” has led to the transfer of hundreds of individuals to ICE custody, according to Thiessen.
“This approach allows federal agencies to work around sanctuary city restrictions while staying within legal boundaries,” he said.
In a related development, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, has requested financial and internal records from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). The inquiry follows allegations that the organization may have provided support to individuals involved in recent protests and unrest in California.
In a public statement and formal letter, Hawley asserted that aiding individuals engaged in disruptive or unlawful activities is not protected under free speech. He called for a halt to any such involvement, citing concerns over public safety and obstruction of federal law enforcement efforts.
Meanwhile, following growing unrest in Los Angeles, the federal government deployed National Guard units and additional personnel to assist with crowd control and security efforts. Federal officials said the deployment was necessary to stabilize the situation, particularly in areas affected by protests and recent wildfires.
State and local leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, voiced opposition to the federal deployment, stating that local authorities were capable of managing the situation without additional intervention.
As both legal and political tensions continue over immigration enforcement and public safety, this latest development reflects the evolving strategies being used by federal authorities to navigate complex state and local policies.
