RIVERSIDE, Calif.: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announced in a video Thursday that deputies will not engage in immigration-related arrests, emphasizing that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government.
The statement comes amid growing protests and fears of ICE raids linked to the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.
Bianco Clarifies Role of Deputies Amid Immigration Concerns
- Bianco reassured the public that deputies have not and will not conduct immigration raids.
- “Let me make this perfectly clear,” Bianco said. “The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and your deputies have not, are not, and will not engage in any type of immigration enforcement.”
The statement comes as Southern California faces six straight days of protests in downtown Los Angeles over fears of expanded ICE operations.
Cooperation with ICE Limited to Criminal Removals from Jails
While Bianco ruled out deputies’ involvement in community immigration raids, he emphasized that his department will cooperate with ICE in removing criminals from jails:
“Stories of deputies conducting raids at schools, businesses, and churches are simply not true,” Bianco said. “I will do everything I can—within the confines of California’s sanctuary state laws—to cooperate with ICE to remove criminals from our jails.”
Bianco’s Criticism of California’s Sanctuary State Law (SB 54)
Bianco took aim at SB 54, the California Values Act, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies.
- He claimed the law “forces ICE agents to go into communities” to carry out arrests, calling it “extremely dangerous” and vowing to “fight to reform” the legislation.
- The law does, however, include exceptions that allow local law enforcement to assist in cases involving individuals deported due to aggravated felonies, as outlined in California Government Code Section 7284.6(b)(1).
Bianco’s Support for New Immigration Legislation
Last week, Bianco joined other sheriffs, including Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, at the White House for the signing of the Laken Riley Act, the first law signed by President Trump in his second term.
Key Points of the Laken Riley Act:
- Mandatory detention of non-U.S. citizens convicted or charged with crimes such as shoplifting, burglary, larceny, and theft
- Authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or perceived failures related to immigration enforcement
Protests in Southern California Over Immigration Crackdown
Bianco’s statement comes during heightened public concern over immigration raids sparked by President Trump’s executive orders targeting:
- Ending birthright citizenship
- Restricting asylum admissions
- Tasking the military with border enforcement
Sheriff Chad Bianco’s stance highlights the delicate balance between complying with California’s sanctuary laws and cooperating with federal authorities to remove criminal offenders.
While he rules out deputies’ involvement in community raids, Bianco’s criticism of SB 54 underscores the ongoing tension between state and federal immigration policies. As protests continue, the debate over local law enforcement’s role in immigration remains at the forefront of California’s political landscape.
