Six Republican lawmakers from California have reached out to President Trump with a letter urging him to change his approach to immigration enforcement. They want him to focus on violent criminals rather than conducting broad raids that are causing fear in communities and driving workers away from essential jobs.
State Senator Suzette Valladares, who represents Santa Clarita, led this group of lawmakers. They expressed their concerns about recent raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that have targeted workplaces like farms, construction sites, and restaurants. According to the lawmakers, these actions are not only affecting undocumented workers but also instilling fear among legal employees, which is leading to labor shortages in critical sectors.
In their letter, the lawmakers asked the president to direct ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize criminal immigrants in their enforcement operations. They noted that the raids have unintended consequences that harm local businesses and communities. The letter highlighted that employers in their districts are struggling to maintain a workforce, which is exacerbating California’s affordability crisis.
The letter also called for an expansion of the H-2A and H-2B visa programs. These programs allow legal guest workers to enter the U.S. for temporary jobs, and the lawmakers believe making them more accessible would help fill the gaps in the labor market.
Valladares and her colleagues emphasized that California’s employers are having difficulty finding workers in various industries, including construction and hospitality. They argued that legal, temporary labor should be easier to access to support the state’s economy.
In response to the letter, a White House spokesperson referenced Trump’s commitment to removing dangerous criminals from communities. They also pointed out that the president has mentioned giving certain industries a "temporary pass" from the impacts of ICE operations.
Recent data from ICE shows that from June 1 to June 10, 722 individuals were arrested in the Los Angeles area, with a significant percentage having no criminal convictions. A Times analysis revealed that 69% of those arrested during that period had no criminal record, and many were picked up in public places like parking lots and street vending spots.
Local government leaders in Los Angeles are considering legal actions to challenge the federal enforcement tactics, which they argue are based on racial profiling and violate constitutional rights.
The Republican lawmakers concluded their letter by blaming Democrats for enabling the influx of illegal immigrants and for blocking legislation that would allow local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration officials in deporting criminals. They expressed their support for Trump’s efforts to deport violent offenders while advocating for a more effective immigration system that includes pathways for non-criminal immigrants who have been part of local communities for years.