128 are arrested in raids
Campaign aimed at three sanctuary cities in California
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Wednesday that its officers made 128 arrests in three California cities during a recent five-day campaign targeting socalled “sanctuary ” jurisdictions, an operation with a publicity effort crafted to match President Donald Trump’s campaign attacks on Democratic mayors.
The arrests during “Operation Rise” were made in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco between Sept. 28 and Friday in what acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said was “Phase 1” of a wider operation expanding to other cities.
Privately, ICE and Homeland Security officials acknowledged that the number of suspects taken into custody so far by the “sanctuary op” did not amount to a major increase in arrests. The agency makes about 40,000 arrests per year at homes, work sites and public locations, or what ICE refers to as “at large” arrests.
Wolf said those arrested in California included immigrants convicted of homicide, sexual assault and other serious crimes, without offering a breakdown of how many of those arrested were violent offenders. The agency would continue to target criminals, he said, “with or without the help of local political leaders.”
“The job of President Trump, DHS and ICE is to fully enforce the law as it was written, not as certain politicians wish it were,” he said.
During his reelection bid, Trump has portrayed himself as a “law and order” candidate who will dominate protesters and deal firmly with a rise in crime that has occurred during his presidency. His campaign has singled out cities with Democratic mayors for blame, especially those who have restricted cooperation between their police departments and ICE.
“All they need to do is call us before they release individuals,” said Tony Pham, the senior official performing the duties of the director at ICE, which does not have a Senateconfirmed leader or nominee. “Just a phone call, so we can help.”
While ICE officials have criticized sanctuary policies since the Obama administration, the effort behind this month’s campaign has left critics warning a line has been crossed in the politicization of immigration enforcement under Trump.