In a significant shift in immigration enforcement, the Trump administration has unveiled Operation Guardian Angel, a strategy aimed at compelling sanctuary cities to comply with federal immigration authorities. According to a Fox News contributor, this plan, orchestrated by White House border czar Tom Homan and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, leverages federal felony charges to bypass local jurisdictions that have hindered the detention and deportation of illegal immigrants.
Sanctuary cities and states have long been a point of contention in the immigration debate. These jurisdictions often refuse to honor ICE civil detainers, which are requests to keep suspected illegal immigrants in custody until they can be transferred to federal officials. As a result, many suspects are released before ICE can assume custody, effectively limiting federal immigration enforcement.
Operation Guardian Angel seeks to address this issue by charging illegal immigrants with federal felonies, particularly those who reenter the U.S. after being deported. These charges result in warrants that local law enforcement is obligated to respect, thus facilitating the transfer of detainees to ICE. Trending Politics reports that hundreds of illegal immigrants have already been turned over to federal authorities under this strategy, challenging the protective policies of sanctuary cities.
The tactic has sparked a polarized response. Former White House speechwriter Marc Thiessen praised the strategy on a Fox News panel, highlighting its direct confrontation with sanctuary city resistance. However, civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, have condemned the move as an abusive exertion of power. Critics, such as Fox News host Shannon Bream, argue that such policies endanger individuals and undermine democratic principles.
Despite the controversy, public opinion seems to favor stricter immigration enforcement. Polls conducted by CNN and CBS News indicate broad support for the deportation of violent illegal immigrants and the Trump administration's immigration policies.
In a related directive, Stephen Miller has urged ICE agents to escalate arrest rates, setting a target of 3,000 arrests per day and implying that agents' jobs may depend on meeting this quota. This directive marks a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, expanding operations to locations previously avoided by other administrations.
The unfolding scenario underscores the Trump administration's determination to assert federal authority over immigration matters, compelling local governments to cooperate or face repercussions. With Operation Guardian Angel, sanctuary cities are now pressured to adhere to federal immigration rules, potentially ending their historical defiance of such mandates.
