SHERIFFS RESPONSE ON BORDER PATROL TACTICAL UNIT DEPLOYMENT

According to the New York Times today, President Trump is deploying elite tactical border patrol agents known as BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) to so called sanctuary cities. I strongly oppose this irresponsible deployment of federal SWAT agents in Los Angeles County for civil immigration enforcement.

In 2019, I reduced ICE transfers by 53% and lowered serious crimes in Los Angeles County by 7%. This debunks the White House’s claim that SB-54 and similar laws throughout the nation will somehow lead to an increase in violent crime. We cannot allow the federal government to weaponize our immigration system for partisan politics. This poorly thought out plan can only be seen as a tactic to intimidate an already vulnerable population and drive them deeper into the shadows.

As the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, I am responsible for everyone’s public safety regardless of immigration status. We are not any safer if an entire segment of our population is afraid to report crimes to local law enforcement.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva