Donald Trump is back, and he’s making headlines again. The former president has announced a sweeping plan to deport millions of criminal aliens after he returns to the White House.
But these aren’t just any undocumented immigrants. Trump specifically targets those with criminal records—a move that he argues isn’t just necessary but long overdue.
Joe Biden’s administration, Trump contends, has ignored federal immigration laws, allowing countless criminals to roam free. Trump says he’s simply cleaning up the mess.
Democrats, unsurprisingly, are already sharpening their pitchforks, accusing him of being extreme. But here’s the kicker: Trump’s plan is entirely in line with federal law. So why all the drama?
From Breitbart:
On Tuesday, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez announced that her office will not abide by a new sanctuary policy adopted by the Southern California county’s Board of Supervisors. The latest sanctuary policy limits cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers by prohibiting county law enforcement officers from granting ICE agents access to individuals or using County facilities for investigative interviews.
Sanctuary Cities: The San Diego Showdown
Take San Diego, for example. Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez recently told her county’s Board of Supervisors to take their “sanctuary” policy and shove it—politely, of course.
The Board wanted to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from accessing county facilities and interviewing detainees. Martinez wasn’t having it.
Why? Because California state law still allows cooperation with ICE under certain circumstances, like when someone’s rap sheet includes violent or serious crimes.
Martinez argues that her current policies strike the right balance: keeping communities safe without alienating immigrant neighborhoods. Her decision to defy the Board highlights a growing tension between local sanctuary laws and federal immigration enforcement.
But don’t mistake Martinez for an ICE groupie. She’s not letting agents run wild in her jails, either. ICE has to go through a formal process just to get inside.
It’s a game of bureaucratic hopscotch, but at least it’s not an outright ban.
Biden’s Loose Grip on Immigration
Now, here’s where it gets spicy. Biden’s administration has adopted a “less is more” approach to immigration enforcement.
Less deportation. More leniency. Critics argue that this approach has emboldened sanctuary policies like San Diego’s, creating loopholes for dangerous criminals to stay put.
Trump, however, says it’s time for a reality check. His plan would undo Biden’s policies and restore what he calls “law and order.” It’s not just about deporting millions but ensuring federal law trumps local resistance—pun fully intended.
While Democrats paint his plan as heartless, Trump argues it’s what most Americans want: safer streets and fewer criminals slipping through the cracks.
Sheriff Martinez: A Lone Voice of Reason?
Sheriff Martinez stands out in a state often criticized for its progressive policies. She insists her office already cooperates with ICE when the law allows.
If someone’s been convicted of assault, child abuse, or drug trafficking, ICE gets a heads-up about their release date. But she’s not willing to implement the Board’s new restrictions, which would tie her hands further.
Her stance isn’t without controversy. Martinez argues the Board of Supervisors can’t dictate how the Sheriff’s Office operates. As an independently elected official, she claims she has the final say.
“The Board doesn’t set my policy,” she said bluntly. It’s a bold move, especially in a political climate where defiance can cost you allies—or votes.
The Bigger Picture: Trump’s Playbook
Trump’s plan and Martinez’s stand share a common theme: pushing back against progressive sanctuary policies. Both highlight the tension between enforcing the law and navigating public opinion.
Meanwhile, Democrats are preparing for a fight. They argue that mass deportations could lead to family separations and human rights abuses.
But Trump counters that these are criminals, not choirboys. For many Americans, his pitch resonates: Why should someone convicted of trafficking drugs or assaulting children get a free pass?
The Laughably Serious Irony
The irony here is delicious. Democrats, champions of “following the law,” now oppose Trump’s plan, which is based squarely on federal statutes.
Sheriff Martinez, a California Democrat, has essentially echoed Trump’s argument: the law is the law. You can’t pick and choose which parts to follow.
San Diego’s sanctuary saga underscores a bigger issue. Local governments increasingly pass feel-good policies that clash with federal rules.
It’s like trying to paddle upstream in a leaky canoe—it doesn’t end well.
