The top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles is really stepping up immigration enforcement in jails as the Trump administration looks for more ways to remove immigrants from sanctuary cities. U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli announced this week a pilot program called “Operation Guardian Angel” intended to “neutralize” sanctuary state laws. The office is targeting individuals with criminal records who have been deported and charging them with illegally reentering the United States, a federal crime. This tactic focuses federal resources on county jails and state prisons, which are the main places where sanctuary rules have caused issues for immigration agents.
Who is behind this aggressive move? U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli, a former state assemblyman and son of Lebanese immigrants, was appointed last month. He created a dedicated group of federal officials to identify jailed immigrants who had been deported. The new effort could result in dozens of charges every week. The Trump administration has been frustrated with California’s policy that restricts local law enforcement from arresting someone just for a deportation order or holding them in jail longer for immigration agents to take them. Immigration officials used to rely on local police for help, but California and other states have increased protections for immigrants in recent years.
Why is this happening now? The Trump administration has been trying to revive programs across the country to fulfill its promise of mass deportation. Essayli stated, “The days of giving criminal illegal aliens a free pass are over.” Despite this, there is still some collaboration between state and federal immigration authorities. Under California law, prison officials can transfer inmates to immigration custody but must give them written notice. Police can also notify immigration agents of someone’s release if they have certain convictions.
When did the program start? The program began on May 10, and in the first five days, 13 people were arrested. Although this is a slower rate than the previous three months, the number of prosecutions may increase over time. However, this could lead to capacity issues as the number of prosecutions grows. Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, mentioned, “At the end of the day, they will run into issues of capacity.”
What are the implications of this program? The resumption of prosecuting individuals for illegal entry could lead to more immigration arrests in the region. Experts suggest that the rhetoric around sanctuary cities and crime does not align with reality, as immigrants do not commit crimes at a higher rate than native-born individuals. Essayli’s office aims to file charges and seek arrest warrants to take defendants into custody from state jails. In 2023 and 2024, federal prosecutors in California’s Central District charged a total of 17 individuals with illegal reentry following removal. Between January 20 and May 1, the office charged 347 people with illegal reentry.
Overall, the program is a significant step towards ramping up immigration enforcement in jails, targeting individuals with criminal records who have been deported. Despite some collaboration between state and federal authorities, the Trump administration is determined to remove more immigrants from sanctuary cities. The resumption of prosecuting illegal entry could lead to more arrests in the region, but capacity issues may arise as the number of prosecutions increases. It remains to be seen how effective this program will be in achieving its goals.
