California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Saturday signed a first of its kind bill banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks while conducting operations in the state of California.
Newsom said ICE agents would no longer be “hidden from accountability” arguing masks prevent “transparency” for citizens and hinder “oversight.”
“That’s Trump’s America but that’s not the America we’ve grown up in. And so we are pushing back,” the governor said during remarks at a local high school.
Newsom said many residents are living in fear as the Trump administration cracks down on communities of illegal immigrants. Twenty-seven percent of Californians are foreign-born.
An increased presence of federal immigration officers has ramped up in the city of Los Angeles where protests broke out against the Trump administration’s deportation policies earlier this year.
Hundreds of National Guard soldiers and Marines were deployed to the city in an effort to quell the explosive outbreak of demonstrations without Newsom’s approval.
Local residents caught in the crossfire of dueling leaders both in the state and from the White House in Washington.
After days of outrage over a series of sweeping ICE raids, authorities confirmed one individual died during a chaotic raid on a California farm.
The Department of Homeland Security said 5,000 illegal immigrants in Los Angeles were arrested from June to August.
“ LA rioters would not stop DHS or slow us down. Our law enforcement will continue to enforce the law,” Department of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem said in a statement on the large number of arrests.
“And anyone who lays a hand on a law enforcement officer, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she continued.
Newsom said Saturday said the Trump administration’s immigration measures need to change to reflect the country’s ideals.
“We are a majority-minority state, California. At our best, we don’t tolerate that diversity. At our best, we celebrate that diversity. We’re a universal state…” the governor said.
“Our status is unique in the United States of America. It’s what makes California great. It’s what makes America great. And it’s under assault by this administration.”
Newsom’s office also took aim at Noem in its announcing of the legislation, which drew a backlash from the administration.
“Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today,” Newsom’s press office tweeted. “You’re welcome, America.”
“This reads like a threat. This is ugly, @GavinNewsom,” Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin tweeted in response.
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