Huntington Beach has declared itself a “non-sanctuary city” as other cities in the region and around the country strengthen their sanctuary city rules.
In a statement, Mayor Pat Burns’ office confirmed that the city council unanimously voted to approve his initiative to declare the city a “Non-Sanctuary City for Illegal Immigration for the Prevention of Crime.”
The resolution, according to Burns’ office, “deliberately sidestep[s] the Governor’s efforts to subvert the good work of federal immigration authorities and to announce the city’s cooperation with the federal government, the Trump Administration and Border Czar Tom Homan’s work.”
“This new city policy and declaration are common sense, support our law enforcement and advances public safety throughout the city…What the Governor is doing does not,” Burns’ office said. “Neither the Governor nor the State Legislature with the passage of laws may interfere with the city’s voluntary cooperation with federal authorities, nor cause or compel the city to violate federal laws such as Title 8 Section 1324 for the harboring of illegal immigrants.”
The new legislation went into effect immediately. More information surrounding the “non-sanctuary city” initiative can be found here.
Burns’ declaration came a day after the swearing-in of President Donald Trump, who signed a plethora of executive orders in the first hours of his second term as Commander-in-Chief, including several on immigration.
Among the orders were a national emergency declaration at the southern border – which allows for the mobilization of additional resources to the region – as well as the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires individuals to await asylum proceedings in Mexico regardless of their country of origin.
Additionally, Border Czar Tom Homan stated that the Trump Administration will be ending the federal “catch-and-release” program, which allows immigrants who entered the country illegally to remain in the U.S. given they are in the process for asylum.
Homan, speaking to NewsNation in December, was clear in his message to anyone trying to illegally enter the United States.
“Stay in your homeland [and] be safe,” he said. “Crossing into this country illegally is very dangerous.”
Trump is also looking to end birthright citizenship in the U.S., a move that caused a number of states to file lawsuits, including California.
