The newly confirmed chief of the Los Angeles Police Division made it clear throughout a latest listening to that his division will “not help” with the “mass deportations” in feedback that sparked social media backlash.
“Since my look earlier than the committee on public security, the nationwide election has brought on many Angelenos to really feel a deep, deep worry, particularly within the immigrant group,” new LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell mentioned at a November 8 metropolis council assembly earlier than being sworn in because the division’s 59th chief.
“I’ve met with members of the group and heard that worry. We additionally heard a few of that simply now at public remark. I do know we’ll communicate extra about immigration later on this listening to, however I need to be unequivocally clear right here in my opening feedback,” McDonnell continued. “LAPD will shield our immigrant group, LAPD officers won’t take motion to find out an individual’s immigration standing, and won’t arrest somebody for his or her standing, and LAPD won’t help with mass deportations.”
McDonnell went on to say that Los Angeles is a “metropolis of immigrants.”
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“I do know immigrants are being disparaged proper now,” McDonnell mentioned. “However I need the individuals of Los Angeles to know my viewpoint. Our nation was constructed by immigrants and L.A. is such a unprecedented metropolis due to individuals right here from actually everywhere in the world.”
McDonnell’s feedback sparked criticism from conservatives on social media and a clip of the listening to was posted on X by the favored conservative account LibsofTikTok.
“Who desires to inform him that they’re getting deported whether or not he likes it or not,” the account posted.
“Time to ship within the Feds,” conservative influencer Harrison Krank posted on X.
“Get out of California when you nonetheless can!” political commentator Gunther Eagleman posted on X.
McDonnell, whereas beforehand serving as LA County Sheriff throughout Trump’s first time period, labored with federal immigration brokers to deport unlawful alien criminals, Los Angeles Instances reported, however mentioned in the course of the listening to he wouldn’t achieve this in his present function whereas pointing to particular coverage, together with Particular Order 40, that prohibits it.
McDonnell was pressed within the listening to by Los Angeles Metropolis Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez on the problem of immigration pointing to the “seismic shift within the nationwide panorama” and requested him to speak about what “protections are assured” for Los Angeles residents illegally dwelling in america.
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Migrants are processed by the U.S. Border Patrol close to the Jacumba Scorching Springs after crossing the US-Mexico border on June 13, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Qian Weizhong/VCG by way of Getty Pictures)
“We don’t cease someone, we don’t arrest someone, we don’t cope with individuals based mostly on their immigration standing, all people will get to be handled equally throughout town and so we are going to proceed with that as a part of who we’re,” McDonnell mentioned within the listening to.
“That’s additionally bolstered in recent times by the Belief Act and California Values Act in newer years so the trail ahead may be very clear,” McDonnell mentioned. “LAPD is right here to serve all of our communities, immigration isn’t a consider how we cope with any particular person or any group of individuals in any of our communities, the best way we’re profitable as a police group is that if when against the law happens individuals are prepared to return ahead as a witness, as a sufferer, and be capable to be a part of the prison justice course of to carry individuals accountable for his or her crimes.
The Belief Act turned legislation in California in 2014, after being signed by then Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, and limits the period of time and causes ICE maintain requests might be honored by native jails.
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Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he arrives to talk at a marketing campaign occasion at Nassau Coliseum, Wednesday, Sept.18, 2024, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Picture/Alex Brandon)
A Cato Institute report in 2018 concluded that deportations went down within the metropolis of Los Angeles after the Belief Act and dropped 39% whereas the remainder of the nation skilled a 9% drop.
McDonnell informed Rodriguez he can be “very clear” about these immigration positions to whoever he talks to, no matter “what we hear as a part of the rhetoric of political discourse.”
Fox Information Digital reached out to the LAPD asking whether or not McDonnell believes it’s “fallacious” to deport prison unlawful aliens and whether or not his division would help in that effort however didn’t obtain a response.
“If they don’t seem to be prepared to assist, then get the hell out of the best way as a result of [Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)] goes to do their job,” Tom Homan, who was appearing ICE director in the course of the first Trump administration and was lately named “border czar” beneath Trump, informed Fox Information Digital in an interview on Friday about jurisdictions that oppose a deportation effort.
Homan additionally pledged that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could be empowered to go after the 425,000 unlawful immigrants convicted of crimes and presently roaming free in america, in response to a latest ICE report.
“We’re going to go get them,” Homan informed Fox Information’ Sean Hannity.
“And I noticed in the present day quite a few governors from sanctuary states saying they’re going to step in the best way. They higher get the hell out of the best way. Both you assist us or get the hell out of the best way, as a result of ICE goes to do their job. We’re going to take {the handcuffs} off ICE that the Biden Administration placed on them and let ICE do what they do, what they do greatest,” he added.
Fox Information Digital’s Kristine Parks contributed to this report