Lawmakers blast ICE chief ’s reply to ‘sanctuary’ law

Congress members ask immigration official to rethink ‘reprehensible’ statement on the bill.

Several Congress members from California are asking President Trump’s top immigration official for a meeting, pointing to what they called his “reprehensible” statement on a new socalled sanctuary state law that will limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

In a letter to Thomas Homan, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Rep. Jimmy Gomez and 13 other Congress members argue Senate Bill 54 will not “shield removable aliens from immigration enforcement,” nor create another “magnet for illegal immigration,” as Homan has said.

“California law enforcement should not be deputized as immigration agents to incite fear in our communities and undermine public safety,” the letter stated. “We request that you meet with us to clarify your statements and restore the trust in public safety that is necessary for our communities.”

The bill, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 5, will vastly limit whom state and local law enforcement agencies can hold, question and transfer at the request of federal immigration authorities. The measure is part of a broader effort by majority Democrats in the California Legislature to shield more than 2.3 million immigrants living illegally in the state.

It has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers, sheriffs and federal officials. In March, Homan hosted a town hall with Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones on immigration enforcement. Emails later showed Jones had asked Homan for his help to lobby against the legislation.