Attorney General Rob Bonta speaking at Crissy Field in San Francisco on 11/7/24 (Photo: oag.ca.gov video screenshot)
AG Rob Bonta Doubles Down On Limiting State, Local Participation In Immigration Enforcement
‘Bonta is just grandstanding here’
By Evan Symon, December 5, 2024 2:45 am
In a statement on Wednesday, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced updates to policies and recommendations to help guide public institutions in complying with California law limiting state and local participation in immigration enforcement activities, adding more to his attempt to block new tougher immigration policies next year.
For the last month, Bonta, as well as other Democratic California lawmakers, have rallied against President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed migrant policy changes, such as a ramping up of deportation efforts against illegal immigrants and stricter border measures. Entire cities have also gotten into it, with the Los Angeles City Council voting to make the city a sanctuary city a few weeks ago. Governor Gavin Newsom also recently proposed $25 million going to a legal defense fund to challenge immigration enforcement authorities. For Bonta, it has also meant attempting legal challenges against Trump, as well as strengthening California sanctuary state laws, despite the numerous issues with them.
On Wednesday, Bonta went even further, announcing updated guidance on SB 54/Sanctuary state laws. This included reiterating that hospitals, libraries, shelters, schools, and courthouses were safe spaces for illegal migrants.
“No matter who is in the White House, in California, we will continue to lead with California values. California is the most diverse state in the nation, and immigrants are the backbone of our economy, history, and culture. We will not be caught flat-footed if the President-elect follows through on his threats of mass deportation – and we will not allow safe spaces like libraries, hospitals, and courthouses to be co-opted and commandeered for his inhumane immigration agenda,” said Bonta. “Many public institutions already have policies in place for how to respond to immigration enforcement authorities – and we advise those who do not to make a plan today. My office will continue to use the full force of the law and every tool at our disposal to protect the rights of California’s immigrants – and we need staff at these critical locations to do the same. We cannot let the Trump deportation machine create a culture of fear and mistrust that prevents immigrants from accessing vital public services.”
He also reiterated that state courthouses, public healthcare facilities, and public schools are required to limit support of immigration enforcement activity. All other facilities, such as libraries, are encouraged to do so.
“You can tell what Bonta is trying to do,” explained Lawyer James Haines to the Globe on Wednesday. “He’s trying to get everything bolstered so people become as non-compliant as possible when it comes to illegal immigrants. But here’s the thing. The incoming administration has vowed to put more ICE agents in sanctuary states and cities. Plus, Trump has said he wants to focus on illegal immigrant criminals first. When they are dealing with criminals, local law enforcement actually has to help at that point.
“Bonta is just grandstanding here. If they want to deport illegal immigrants, they’ll easily find a way to do it, with or without local help. So a more closed border and more deportations. Bonta knows he can’t stop it, and this? It’s just saying that illegal immigrants can still do needed things. That’s it.
“The question is what Bonta will do when the first law enforcement officials in the state start assisting ICE, because that will happen. Will he throw the book at them, or will it be something more substantial?”
Attorney General Bonta is expected to continue to strengthen state immigration policies heading into January.
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What a tool….and how inane that the AG calls what he is doing protecting “California values.” The era of open borders ended, and the cartels, drug dealing, human trafficking, and illegal child labor will end with it. None of these activities “are the backbone of our economy, history and culture” like Bonta claims. No wonder crime is so out of control in our state when the chief law enforcement officer takes a stance like this. I look forward to new US AG Pam Bondi ripping him apart.
No kidding, Rod. Trump’s stated objective is to deport illegal aliens who have committed crimes in the United States. As the nominal (sarcasm) head legal authority in California will Bonta produce some bizarre word salad explanation that these criminals are the backbone of California and must be protected? Gag me.
Bonta is obviously a fan of replacement of the “native” working class. He is happy to allow California to be a port of entry for any and all illegals to enter the rest of the nation.
Would he discriminate against barges of Chinese seeking a free piece of America?
Clueless AND annoying. As you know.
Plus Bonta invites our contempt because he is utterly unable to switch gears and apparently has no idea that NO ONE is buying whatever the heck it is he is still selling.
The Usual Suspects really need to wake up to what is going on now.
On second thought, keep it up because the sooner you are GONE the happier we will be.
Rob Bonta is one of the most despicable greaseball crooks in the history of state government. It is impossible to hate someone like Rob Bonta too much.
I am actually looking forward to the first law enforcement agency assisting ICE with deporting illegal aliens. Bonta is acting like a punk. He is on the wrong side of history.
Good grief, January 20th, 2025, can’t get here fast enough. The fact that the Democrats are so insane now that they want to protect from deportation even illegal aliens who commit OTHER crimes is just beyond reprehensible. They are an organization of Evil, pure and simple.
No problem! Arrest him first for obstruction of justice.
The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the federal government’s jurisdiction over immigration, recognizing Congress’s plenary power to regulate immigration and exclude or admit foreign nationals. This authority is rooted in the United States Constitution.
Rob Bonta is a Yale trained lawyer with ZERO ethics who is part of the criminal Democrat mafia that controls this state. He has blatantly steered state contracts and campaign funds to his wife Mia’s non-profits and election campaigns. No doubt he’s fearful that Trump’s DOJ might investigate him and his shady dealings? Just recently news broke about a FBI Probe into an Oakland energy plant and questions about AG Bonta’s involvement:
(https://www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/article/rob-bonta-viridis-oakland-19789139.php)
Here are a couple of articles about Rob Bonta’s questionable ethics:
(https://calmatters.org/projects/california-political-legislative-nonprofits-rob-bonta-wife/)
(https://thevoicesf.org/the-bonta-money-trail/)
The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the federal government’s jurisdiction over immigration, recognizing Congress’s plenary power to regulate immigration and exclude or admit foreign nationals. This authority is rooted in the United States Constitution.
Rob Bonta is a Yale trained lawyer with ZERO ethics who is part of the criminal Democrat mafia that controls this state. He has blatantly steered state contracts and campaign funds to his wife Mia’s non-profits and election campaigns. No doubt he’s fearful that Trump’s DOJ might investigate him and his shady dealings? Just recently news broke about a FBI Probe into an Oakland energy plant and questions about AG Bonta’s involvement.
The Trump administration can sue Cali and withhold all Federal money pending compliance. Cali already in the rears for debt owed the Feds thus Bonta should be smacked down however will never happen.
Seems like most are convinced Trump is paper tiger.
BTW Donald should reaffirm his commitment to fully pardon all Jan 6ers immediately upon being bestowed presidential powers.
“…and immigrants are the backbone of our economy…”
Wrong! Entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy.
In reality the real burden of fault for an individual the likes of Rob Bonta holding office in the once great State of California lies directly at the feet of the voter.
You are 100% correct. We are the problem. People like this would never be in office if it weren’t for the lazy ignorant California voter.
That would require trust in a democrat-bureaucracy that controls CA elections. They simply continue “finding” ballots until they have achieved the level of fraud that they need to “win”……….. including current election results.
AG bonta should spend more time, effort and paycheck $$$ on enforcing B&P statutes and oversight at the CSLB. Waaayyyy too many unlicensed contractors ripping off californians and not going to jail.
Any state laws, proclomations and proturbances that violate Federal statute1324 iii and others will most assuredly be handled accordingly by the next Federal administration………..