A California coastal city's leader challenges state policies following a recent migrant interception off its shores.
According to Fox News, Newport Beach Mayor Will O'Neill criticized Democratic state lawmakers and expressed frustration over sanctuary state policies after the U.S. Coast Guard detained 21 migrants near his city's waters.
The group, consisting of 18 Mexican nationals, two Uzbekistani citizens, and one Russian citizen, was intercepted approximately one mile from Newport Beach's coastline earlier this month. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection took custody of the migrants following their apprehension by Coast Guard officials.
The California Values Act, also known as SB 54, has been in effect since 2017, when then-Governor Jerry Brown signed it into law. This legislation prohibits state law enforcement agencies from collaborating with federal immigration authorities and restricts immigration enforcement actions at public facilities,s including schools, hospitals, churches, and courthouses.
Newport Beach officials opposed the sanctuary state law from its inception. Mayor O'Neill emphasized that the legislation has created challenges for local law enforcement, particularly in cases where migrants attempt to enter the country illegally via maritime routes.
O'Neill highlighted a concerning trend where some migrants bypass traditional border crossing points in favor of boat entries. He noted that once these individuals reach the shore, they often quickly disperse into waiting vehicles and disappear into the state.
Mayor O'Neill voiced his stance on the state's approach to immigration enforcement, as stated below:
The policy in Sacramento is so extreme, that they are actually protecting people who are known criminals who are in the country illegally
The mayor's criticism extends beyond immigration policies to broader governance issues under Governor Gavin Newsom's administration. O'Neill points to declining quality of life indicators in Orange County, including rising crime rates and increased homelessness.
In response to the mayor's concerns, Governor Newsom's office defended the state's position, stating that most migrants prefer settling in Texas and Florida rather than California. The governor's office maintains that anti-immigrant state policies do not effectively deter migration.
The situation reflects growing tensions between local and state authorities over immigration enforcement approaches. State Assemblyman Bill Essayli, a Republican, criticized what he perceives as hypocrisy in the state's stance.
The governor's office emphasized that SB 54 includes provisions allowing local law enforcement to coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in specific cases, particularly regarding individuals convicted of felony offenses who have completed their state prison sentences.
This development comes as Los Angeles recently formalized its status as a sanctuary city, with Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez stating:
All Los Angeles residents can interact with our government without the fear that Donald Trump's deportation squad is around the corner.
Newport Beach's maritime migrant incident has intensified the debate over California's sanctuary state policies, particularly as the state prepares for potential changes in federal immigration enforcement under the incoming Trump administration. While Newport Beach officials seek to maintain local control over public safety measures, state leadership remains committed to protecting progressive policies despite opposition from some municipalities.
