LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it will not participate in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Warrant Service Officer Program.
The program allows for local authorities to arrest and temporarily detain immigrants in the United States illegally on behalf of the agency, regardless if the city is a so-called sanctuary city.
“As previously stated, the Sheriff’s Department will keep a line of separation between local law enforcement action and federal immigration policy,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement.
“One of the Department’s priorities is providing public safety for all of Los Angeles County’s residents, regardless of immigration status,” Villanueva continued.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted in 2015 to remove federal immigration agents from county jails, but also wanted then-Sheriff Jim McDonnell to continue the department’s cooperation with ICE.
In March, Orange County declared it would no longer house ICE detainees in its jails and would use that space for mental health services.
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AdolphOliverMuff says
I’m in agreement with the LASD. But I’m not 80 years old like most of the racists here.
Started up again says
I remember growing up in the 50s when they had to reward for turning in illegal aliens
The guys of joke says
Of course the sheriff isn’t going to do anything he’s part of the problem he’s breaking the law so he should be removed as Sheriff
Kelly Weikum says
If California wants illegals then don’t allow them to vote or migrate to other states we don’t want them.
Tom says
Not totally true Tim. Now if the sheriff department was going out arresting people for being illegal then your comment is correct, but after an arrest for any law breaking incident any and all agencies in California should report illegals to federal authorities then it’s up to the federal agency to decide if an illegal be set free or held for a deportation trial.
Tim Scott says
The problem is that “held for a deportation trial.” It is not the state’s obligation to confine people for the convenience of federal law enforcement. If the feds want you, it is their obligation to detain you, not the county’s.
But the fact is that the whole ‘sanctuary’ business isn’t really about people who are arrested anyway. That’s what the right wing propaganda machine likes to pretend it is about, but really it is about people who haven’t committed any crimes but come into contact with local law enforcement. Victims. Witnesses. People who we would all benefit from them having a working, cooperative relationship with local law enforcement.
If you are getting beaten down on the sidewalk and the person across the street with a cell phone is not calling 911 because they don’t want to get deported the issue becomes really clear. If the guy raping you has committed rape three times before but none of them were reported because those victims didn’t want to be deported it becomes really clear. If you get in a car accident that was definitely the other guy’s fault, but when the cops come all the witnesses melt away because they don’t want to be deported and the the cops can’t really say for sure because it’s just your word against the other guy’s then the issue becomes really clear.
Tony says
That BS. Your are the problem when you pick and choose what laws should be enforced. If you don’t want to obey Federal law, then you need to reassess if we are a truly a nation of laws or not. I for one don’t like some Federals laws but I will obey them. Will fight to change them but I don’t condone anybody on any side who advocates breaking the law. If you want me to respect your opinion, start respecting the rule of law. As to the rape analogy, that’s a red herring argument and you should know that. As to the car analogy, what kind of BS logic is that? If they are so afraid of being deported that they disappear, we don’t what them here. Also, what statistics are you using? As to right wing propaganda, what a stupid assumption on your part. So you saying that if I believe in the rule of law, I am a right winger? I for one don’t have any respect for you and I really don’t if you do for me. You shut down the argument before it started and your bias is showing for all the world to see.
Tim Scott says
So, when you pick and choose and want to ignore THE LAW that says immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility that can’t be delegated to the states does that make YOU the problem?
If you don’t like that law, change it, but don’t advocate for the sheriff’s department breaking it.
I’m not saying you are a right winger, but based on this response I would say you are an idiot.
ICE says
Los Angeles County Sanctuary Department.
MJ says
When you elect a sanctuary sheriff, that’s not unexpected. It still stinks.
TheLawIsTheLaw says
wow.
Tim Scott says
The law is the law, and the law specifically says that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility not to be delegated to the states. It’s amazing how many people seem to want law enforcement to operate outside the law.
Kelly Weikum says
More state county sheriffs should be trained by ICE like Florida so sheriffs can arrest the illegal aliens.
Tim Scott says
In defiance of federal law, which says that only federal agents can enforce immigration law. Good to know that you are in favor of criminal action by law enforcement agencies.