Focused ICE raids proposed by California Republicans, emphasizing apprehension of criminal aliens, rather than ordinary laborers, according to their statements to President Trump.
California Republican lawmakers have called for President Trump and immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE, to prioritize targeting violent criminals rather than conducting broad raids on non-criminal migrants. This request highlights a strategic push to prioritize public safety by concentrating on individuals convicted of violent crimes, rather than sweeping enforcement actions that disrupt communities and the workforce.
The coalition of California Republicans, led by Sen. Suzette Valladares, sent a letter to President Trump expressing their concerns about the recent ICE workplace raids, which they believe have led to unintended consequences that are harming communities and businesses, and are exacerbating an already tight labor market. The letter also urges the Trump administration to focus on modernizing the immigration system to allow non-criminal immigrants who have lived in local communities for years a pathway toward legal status.
The letter further asks that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alter their enforcement tactics, focusing on violent criminals instead of arresting non-criminal migrants. The Republicans in the letter blame Democrats for enabling the mass entrance of illegal immigrants into the country and for blocking Republican-authored bills that would allow local government to work with federal immigration authorities to deport criminals who are in the country illegally.
The White House did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment on the letter. However, the request signals a significant push from California Republicans for a more focused immigration policy, with a focus on public safety, economic growth, and border security. The letter is signed by Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, and several members of the state Assembly, including Heath Flora, Diane Dixon, and Laurie Davies.
Members of the L.A. City Council and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors are also exploring legal avenues to prevent federal agents from unlawfully stopping, questioning, or detaining individuals without reasonable suspicion. Many of the raids were executed in open-air locations, such as car washes, Home Depot parking lots, and street-vending spots.
The Republicans in the letter also ask Trump to expand and streamline H-2A and H-2B visa programs to authorize more legal guest workers to enter the country, addressing concerns about labor shortages worsening the state's affordability crisis.
This appeal remains a key topic in California political discourse, with ongoing debates about the balance between immigration enforcement and economic and social stability. As of late June 2025, it remains to be seen whether President Trump will adopt this targeted approach to immigration enforcement.
- Sen. Suzette Valladares and her coalition of California Republicans have expressed concerns about ICE workplace raids, believing they harm communities, disrupt businesses, and exacerbate a tight labor market.
- The letter pushes for the Trump administration to prioritize modernizing the immigration system, allowing non-criminal immigrants a pathway to legal status after years in local communities.
- The request urges immigration enforcement agencies to alter tactics, focusing on violent criminals instead of non-criminal migrants.
- The Republicans in the letter blame Democrats for enabling illegal immigration and blocking bills that would authorize local government to work with federal immigration authorities on deporting criminals.
- The White House did not respond immediately to The Times' request for comment on the letter but it signals a significant push from California Republicans for a focused immigration policy on public safety, economic growth, and border security.
- Members of the L.A. City Council and L.A. County Board of Supervisors are exploring legal avenues to prevent federal agents from unlawfully stopping, questioning, or detaining individuals.
- The Republicans in the letter also propose expanding and streamlining H-2A and H-2B visa programs to allow more legal guest workers to enter the country, addressing labor shortages and potential worsening of the state's affordability crisis.
- ongoing debates about the balance between immigration enforcement and economic and social stability continue to be a key topic in California political discourse, the outcome of President Trump adopting a targeted approach to immigration enforcement is yet to be seen (as of late June 2025).
