A major fight is brewing in California over the protection of gang members who have illegally entered America via the southern border through the state’s status as a sanctuary state.
President Trump met with a delegation of twenty California state lawmakers who oppose the state’s sanctuary city status on Wednesday.
Trump reportedly said, “Each of you has bravely resisted California’s deadly and unconstitutional sanctuary state laws. You’ve gone through a lot, too, although it’s becoming quite popular what you’re doing. A law that forces the release of illegal immigrant criminals, drug dealers, gang members and violent predators into your communities.”
Steny Hoyer now out with a statement condemning Trump’s remarks about MS-13 gang members pic.twitter.com/Hf8La4urYb
— Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) May 17, 2018
In the meeting, Trump allegedly bashed the LAPD, saying they “arrested an illegal immigrant from Mexico for drug possession. Instead of honoring the (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detainer, they set him free. Just a few weeks later, he was arrested again, this time for murder. So they arrested him, they had him, they let him go… and he killed somebody. And it’s happening more and more.”
According to a study done in February by the Center for Immigration Study, 506 MS-13 members were arrested or charged with crimes that were reported in 22 states since 2012, and 207 of them were arrested for murder. 38 of those arrested for murder specified that they were in the country illegally.
Murderers, rapists, and animals. This is how the President views undocumented immigrants. These degrading words are also how despots around the world dehumanize those they persecute.
The only protection? A vigilant citizenry and the rule of law. https://t.co/hSATf0OxCV
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) May 17, 2018
One of the biggest supporters in the fight for sanctuary cities has been California governor Jerry Brown. Last month, Brown ordered the deployment of “up to 4o0” National Guard troops “to combat” criminal activity. However, he did issue specific instructions to “the California National Guard” saying they “will not enforce immigration laws or participate in the construction of any new border barrier.”
@realDonaldTrump is lying on immigration, lying about crime and lying about the laws of CA. Flying in a dozen Republican politicians to flatter him and praise his reckless policies changes nothing. We, the citizens of the fifth largest economy in the world, are not impressed.
— Jerry Brown (@JerryBrownGov) May 16, 2018
Among those who oppose the president’s stance is House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. She said, “So when the president of the United States says about undocumented immigrants, ‘These aren’t people, these are animals,’ you have to wonder, does he not believe in the spark of divinity, the dignity and worth of every person?”