Los Angeles, California – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced the launch of Operation Guardian Angel, a new initiative aimed at circumventing California’s sanctuary state policies by issuing federal arrest warrants for undocumented immigrants with criminal records incarcerated in county jails.
The operation, which began on May 10, had already arrested 13 individuals by May 15. The Central District encompasses Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties—a region estimated to house 1.5 million undocumented immigrants. Federal officials say the initiative directly responds to state laws restricting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the need for more vigorous federal enforcement. “Even the worst criminal aliens in state custody are frequently released into the community because California’s sanctuary state policies block cooperation with federal law enforcement,” Essayli said. “These laws effectively render federal immigration detainers meaningless. The days of giving criminal illegal aliens a free pass are over. While California may be presently disregarding detainers, it cannot ignore federal arrest warrants.”…