SacBee: Sen. Alex Padilla says California will not help with Trump’s mass deportation efforts
By Mathew Miranda
Sen. Alex Padilla vowed to protect California’s immigrant communities against the second Donald Trump presidential administration, saying the state had “no obligation” to help with mass deportation efforts.
“We’re not going to utilize state and local resources to do the federal government’s job for them,” said Padilla, D-Calif., during his Sunday appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Padilla’s comments are a response to Trump’s promise to conduct the largest deportation campaign in American history. Last month, the former president confirmed he plans to use the U.S. military to assist immigration enforcement.
Those plans may prove more difficult in California following its success in staving off Trump’s policies during his first presidential term. Among the state’s pro-immigrant policies is 2017’s Senate Bill 54, which prohibits state and local law enforcement from using resources to assist in federal immigration enforcement.
Padilla emphasized the distinction between federal, state and local policies on Sunday, while saying that California will not “push the envelope” like other states.
“Let the federal government do the federal government’s job, but have state and local officials do the state and local officials’ job,” Padilla said. “There doesn’t have to be a conflict unless that’s what Trump wants.”
Trump’s pick to oversee border control, former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Tom Homan, said last month Democratic governors should get “out of the way” as the administration prepares its immigration agenda. He has also promised more deportations than Trump’s first term and threatened legal consequences for those standing in the way.
Padilla’s comments came one day before California lawmakers returned to the Capitol for a special session focused on protecting “California values.” Gov. Gavin Newsom called for the session and has made it clear the state will once again resist the Trump presidency.
Padilla ended his comments Sunday by saying the state would provide legal support to those who could be impacted by Trump’s plans. He called it “ the California way.”
“We embrace our diversity, our diversity has made our communities thrive and our economy thrive. And so we will assist families against the threats of the Trump administration,” Padilla said.
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