The U.S. Attorney’s Office has launched Operation Guardian Angel to counter California’s sanctuary state policies. Federal officials have obtained 171 arrest warrants for undocumented immigrants held in county jails since May. The campaign focuses on taking custody of individuals before they are released under the California Values Act.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday, Sept. 25, that law enforcement has arrested 78 people so far — 73 from local jails and five at county courthouses.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said the effort is essential to counter laws that block cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“This program’s initial results show that my office no longer stands idly by while criminal illegal aliens are released from city and county jails and onto our streets,” Essayli said. “California’s misguided sanctuary state laws and policies only protect criminal illegal aliens, which can no longer be tolerated.”
What Is Operation Guardian Angel?
The DOJ’s Central District of California launched the campaign on May 10, covering Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties.
Officials estimate the region is home to 1.5 million undocumented immigrants, including gang members and other violent offenders. The operation aims to bypass state restrictions that stop local agencies from honoring federal detainer requests.
What Is the California Values Act?
California’s Senate Bill 54 (2017), known as the California Values Act, prevents local law enforcement from assisting in federal immigration enforcement or using their resources for such actions.
The DOJ argued that the law has had “tragic” consequences, citing cases where individuals later accused of murder were previously released from custody despite federal detainer requests.
California’s Response
Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom signed several new laws to restrict federal immigration enforcement actions in the state.
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SB 627 – Bars federal agents from wearing masks while working in California
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SB 98 & AB – Limit immigration officials’ access to schools
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SB 81 – Restricts access to health care facilities
“Public safety depends on trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve — but (President Donald) Trump and (White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen) Miller have shattered that trust and spread fear across America,” Newsom said. “California is putting an end to it and making sure schools and hospitals remain what they should be: places of care, not chaos.”
Federal officials immediately dismissed the new mask law as unconstitutional, vowing that federal immigration agents would not comply.
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