Little by little California towns are turning back to the law and public safety. While Newsom and AG Bonta are putting vicious criminals who are illegal aliens back on the streets, some town prefer the law and safety.
“Councilmember Scott Thomson emphasized that the measure primarily targets criminals, regardless of citizenship status, according to Action News. He stated that declaring Oroville a non-sanctuary city could give local authorities greater power to hold offenders accountable.
“It just equals the playing field for everybody so everybody is equally viable to the full extent of the law. Not just citizens so our declaration equals the playing field that if there’s anybody who violates the law, whether you’re a citizen or not, legally or illegally, we are in favor of the full extent of the law,” Thomson said.
What a concept. If you are a native born criminal or an illegal alien criminal you will be treated the same—you will be punished under the law. It is people like Newsom and Bass that need to be arrested. They have conspired to allow crime in your neighborhood. That is a criminal offense.
California Turns Against Sanctuary City Policies
Republican Trying to Block Sanctuary State Slams ‘Utopian Ideals’
By Billal Rahman, Newsweek, 3/5/25 https://www.newsweek.com/california-oroville-sanctuary-city-policies-2039938
The Oroville City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday declaring the northern California city a non-sanctuary city.
It allows local law enforcement officials to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement authorities.
Why It Matters
The move aligns with President Donald Trump‘s hard-line immigration agenda as he looks to conduct large-scale deportations.
The Trump administration has seen sanctuary policies as an obstacle to its plans for mass deportations and the increased detention of immigrants without legal status.
What To Know
Councilmember Scott Thomson emphasized that the measure primarily targets criminals, regardless of citizenship status, according to Action News. He stated that declaring Oroville a non-sanctuary city could give local authorities greater power to hold offenders accountable.
“It just equals the playing field for everybody so everybody is equally viable to the full extent of the law. Not just citizens so our declaration equals the playing field that if there’s anybody who violates the law, whether you’re a citizen or not, legally or illegally, we are in favor of the full extent of the law,” Thomson said.
Thomson told Newsweek the move send a message to Governor Gavin Newsom that Oroville strongly opposes laws that limit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agencies. He said: “With this declaration, we hope to amplify the voices of our community, which are often overlooked by those in power. It is our hope that Governor Newsom and the democrat supermajority will recognize the concerns of everyday citizens who want a safer place to live, work, and raise their families.”
Councilman Shawn Webber supported the declaration but said he wanted adjustments to the wording to better clarify the reasoning behind it.
“In my opinion, a declaration is like a tiger with no teeth. What I mean by that is words on paper. We can’t change the law, we can’t surpass the law here even if we disagree with the law even if there language in the law strongly or oppose, we simply can’t write a declaration,” Webber said.
The law Webber referenced is Senate Bill 54, which limits law enforcement’s role in deporting immigrants. Instead of issuing a declaration, Webber suggested the city should send a letter of support for Senate Bill 554, which prevents local jurisdictions from imposing additional restrictions on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement beyond what SB 54 already mandates.
Meanwhile, California state Republicans are pushing for changes to sanctuary laws.
A recently introduced bill aims to prevent violent offenders from being “shielded” from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
While current laws permit local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE on cases that pose a threat to public safety, the new proposal would impose mandatory cooperation with the agency.
On January 21, the Huntington Beach City Council unanimously approved Mayor Pat Burns’ proposal to declare the city a “non-sanctuary” jurisdiction, seeking to counter some of Newsom’s policies while aligning with the Trump administration’s stricter immigration measures.
Newsom has pledged to veto a Democratic-led bill that would restrict state prison officials from cooperating with federal immigration agents, as the Trump administration pushes for ramped-up deportations.
Newsom has previously said, “I believe current law strikes the right balance on limiting interaction to support community trust and cooperation between law enforcement and local communities.”
What People Are Saying
Councilmember Scott Thomson told Newsweek in a statement via email: “The resolution passed by the Oroville City Council declaring Oroville a non-sanctuary city is not just about a simple yes or no answer regarding safety. Rather, it serves three primary purposes. First, it sends a clear message to lawmakers in Sacramento that we strongly oppose policies that restrict local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agencies to uphold public safety. Second, it reinforces to those who engage in unlawful activities that Oroville does not tolerate criminal behavior and will utilize all available legal avenues to hold offenders accountable. Third, it affirms our unwavering support for our law enforcement officers, who work tirelessly to keep our community safe.
“Our citizens have demonstrated their commitment to public safety by voting twice to increase taxes specifically to fund law enforcement, as well as supporting Proposition 36 to provide additional tools for crime prevention. Unfortunately, state policies in recent years have moved in the opposite direction—reducing penalties for criminal offenses and stripping law enforcement of critical resources. These policies have had a detrimental effect across California, and Oroville is no exception.”
Speaking on sanctuary policies, Angelica Salas, Executive Director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), said in a statement sent to Newsweek: “We’ve fought for sanctuary city policies because we know what our communities need to stay safe.”
“Federal immigration agents are not welcome to roam California neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and houses of worship, looking for community members to terrify and detain. That is not what we need and that is not how we want our tax dollars spent.
“Immigrants are beloved members of our families and communities, and it’s our democratic right to enact protection policies that match our values. The message is simple: Border Patrol, ICE, and other federal agencies participating in immigration enforcement activities will not be allowed to unleash terror in California.”
What Happens Next
The resolution itself does not change state law, but it signals the city’s stance on immigration enforcement. As California remains a stronghold for sanctuary policies, it is unclear whether the state government will respond to Oroville’s decision.
Other cities may follow suit, particularly in more conservative-leaning regions of California where opposition to sanctuary policies is stronger.
