California's Huntington Beach declares itself a 'non-sanctuary city'

Michael Slaten, The Orange County Register on Jan 22, 2025

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LOS ANGELES — Huntington Beach, California, is continuing its rebellious streak against the state’s sanctuary immigration law, which limits local resources from assisting federal immigration enforcement officials, declaring itself a “non-sanctuary city” at its Tuesday City Council meeting.

Mayor Pat Burns, who introduced the “non-sanctuary city” resolution, which passed unanimously, said it is a signal for people who entered the country illegally to not come to Huntington Beach.

“The intent of this resolution is to deliberately sidestep the governor’s efforts to subvert the good work of federal immigration authorities and to announce the city’s cooperation with the federal government, the Trump Administration and Border Czar Tom Homan’s work,” the city said in a news release. “This new city policy and declaration are common sense, supports our law enforcement, and advances public safety throughout the city.”

All council members spoke enthusiastically in support of the resolution, which says police and other city departments should coordinate and communicate with federal law enforcement agencies and honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers.

An immigration detainer is a request from the agency to hold noncitizens who are in custody for up to 48 more hours and to notify them before they are released to allow ICE to take custody.

The resolution also calls for the city attorney’s office to defend against any legal action brought by the state against the city’s stance.

“This is in the best interest of our community, Huntington Beach, to make sure we utilize every facet of law enforcement to make it the best place to live,” said Burns, who had a small white bust of Trump displayed in front of him during the council meeting.

The resolution says the state incentivizes people to enter the state illegally by giving health care to undocumented immigrants.

Resident Merlyn Gonzalez during public comment said the declaration sends a dangerous message and is a waste of police resources who should focus on real crimes.

“Immigrants are an asset, not a threat,” Gonzalez said. “Many industries in California especially in tech, agriculture and hospitality rely on immigrant labor.”

Sanctuary laws, she said, help immigrants feel more comfortable cooperating with police to solve crimes.

The city this month filed a lawsuit in federal court to again challenge the California Values Act, or SB 54, the so-called sanctuary state law that places limits on local police from assisting federal immigration officials.

The resolution coincides with President Donald Trump taking office and reigniting efforts to conduct mass deportations of people who entered the country illegally.

City Attorney Michael Gates characterized the move as also giving protection to the city’s police officers as the Justice Department has issued a memo to federal prosecutors to investigate state and local officials that don’t enforce immigration laws.

“When Tom Homan takes to the camera and the podium and says we are going to go after state and local law enforcement officials as aggressively as we are the immigrants themselves … that hits home,” Gates said. “To allow (our cops) to be in legal jeopardy because of the sanctuary state law is, I think, absolutely unacceptable.”

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