California officials, along with dozens of others nationwide, received letters this week from Stephen Miller’s nonprofit, America First Legal, warning against interfering with or obstructing the enforcement of immigration laws. Miller, who has been named President-elect Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, confirmed that the nonprofit sent 249 letters to elected officials in states and cities with sanctuary policies.
Recipients of the letters include Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, among others, the Los Angeles Times reported last week. The letters, all dated December 23, indicate that individuals living in the country illegally may be subject to removal, and it is a crime to conceal, harbor, or shield them.
California has positioned itself as a key opponent as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to implement mass deportations of individuals in the country illegally. During Trump’s previous presidency, numerous cities across the state declared themselves sanctuaries for immigrants. While the letters from America First Legal are not directly tied to Trump’s transition team, they highlight the looming conflict over immigration policy.
“As Attorney General, on December 4, 2024, you stated that the State of California will not enforce federal immigration laws, encouraging defiance by all California jurisdictions,” the letter to Bonta reads in part. “… This rhetoric illustrates the State’s intent to blatantly violate federal law. Such lawlessness subjects you and your subordinates to significant risk of criminal and civil liability. Accordingly, we are sending this letter to put you on notice of this risk and insist that you comply with our nation’s laws.”
“The fact of the matter is that you and the other officials who support or enforce sanctuary laws, policies, and regulations have a very personal stake in the matter — you each could face criminal prosecution and civil liability for your illegal acts,” the letter concludes, according to the Times. The notices coincide with remarks from Trump’s incoming “border czar,” Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Speaking on Fox News last week, Homan suggested that city officials who refuse to cooperate with the administration’s efforts to deport individuals living in the country illegally could potentially face criminal charges.
“If you knowingly conceal or harbor an illegal alien from a police officer, it is a felony,” he said. “To impede a federal law enforcement officer is a felony, so don’t cross that line. We’ve got a strong [attorney general] coming in, Pam Bondi, and we will present these prosecutions, so you know, don’t test us.”
