Immigration and Customs Enforcement praised the sheriff of Orange County, California, for speaking up about the problems caused by the state’s sanctuary city laws.
Sheriff Don Barnes released a report this week that indicates the number of inmates in his county with ICE detainers has increased thanks to sanctuary city laws, specifically SB 54, which severely restricts communications and coordination with ICE in the release of criminal illegal immigrants.
The data shows that more than 2,000 illegal immigrants were released from custody in Orange County alone in recent years, and more than 400 of them re-offended in that county.
“I applaud Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes for his continued efforts to explain why these sanctuary policies do not make sense when it comes to public safety,” the statement from acting ICE Director Matthew Albence said. “This is exactly what ICE has said time and again. These policies do nothing but ensure that criminals are released back into the community, where many re-offend, instead of being turned over to ICE.”
The statement said the crimes committed by illegal immigrants who have been released from custody are “preventable,” and they affect “preventable victims.”
“All communities are safer when local law enforcement works with ICE,” the statement concluded.
Earlier this week, Barnes said, “SB 54 has made our community less safe.”
Barnes added: “The law has resulted in new crimes because my deputies were unable to communicate with their federal partners about individuals who committed serious offenses and present a threat to our community if released.”
[Also read: DHS suspends expedited-entry travel program in New York, affecting 175,000 this year]
