Federal prosecutors have begun issuing deportation warrants for undocumented immigrants currently held in correctional facilities across Southern California. The effort is designed to override California’s sanctuary laws and prevent the release of inmates with serious criminal records.
[Screenshot from Fox News broadcast]
Operation Guardian Angel aims to bypass sanctuary policies
On May 20, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in California announced the launch of Operation Guardian Angel, targeting undocumented inmates with serious criminal convictions in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and four other counties. The operation involves transferring those individuals from local jails into federal detention facilities.
Bill Essayli, a federal prosecutor, explained, “Undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records are being released back into the community. California’s sanctuary policies block cooperation between local correctional facilities and the federal government, so this operation is aimed at protecting public safety.”
Federal officials estimate that approximately 1.5 million undocumented immigrants reside in the seven counties involved, including individuals affiliated with gangs or who have been convicted of serious crimes. Prosecutors argue that the current sanctuary framework allows some of these individuals to be released without coordination with immigration enforcement, posing risks to public safety.
Essayli added, “While the California government refuses to cooperate with immigration authorities, it cannot ignore a federal arrest warrant.” So far, 13 undocumented inmates with serious convictions have been taken into federal custody. Officials expect that number to increase.
Essayli also pointed to a case from February, in which an undocumented immigrant with 11 prior convictions and a previous deportation order allegedly shot and killed a civilian during a robbery in Inglewood. Federal agents had requested the suspect’s transfer, but the request was blocked under California law. Essayli stated that this case directly motivated the launch of Operation Guardian Angel.
Separately, on May 20, Fox News reported that agents from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted raids on specific residences in Hollywood Hills, Studio City, and Sun Valley. The DHS has not provided details about the operations.
BY YEOL JANG [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]
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