1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you to maintain and strengthen California's restrictions on the 287(g) program, which deputizes local law enforcement to act as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. This program, rooted in the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, has seen alarming expansion nationwide in 2025 following the executive order titled 'Protecting the American People from Invasion.' We’ve all seen the lawless and uncontrolled behavior of ICE and CBP, resulting in deaths and brutal arrests, many of them citizens, children, and few with any criminal background. As of this writing, the Task Force Model is particularly concerning because it provides street-level policing with ICE authority, including during routine traffic stops. This model was scaled back under previous administrations due to documented civil rights abuses and racial profiling, yet it has surged under the current administration. California has wisely implemented policies restricting local agencies from participating in 287(g), prioritizing community safety over federal deportation agendas. This approach is critical because the program systematically targets Latino drivers during routine traffic stops, turning minor infractions like broken tail lights into gateways to deportation. When immigrant mothers hesitate to call 911, when workers endure exploitation silently, and when domestic violence survivors remain hidden, our entire community becomes less safe. States like Florida, Georgia, and Texas are experiencing aggressive 287(g) expansion, with Florida even threatening sheriffs who resist. Meanwhile, sheriffs in Iowa, New York, and North Carolina have courageously refused to become enforcers of mass deportation despite intimidation tactics from Attorney General Pam Bondi and Emil Bove, who have threatened illegal funding cuts and criminal prosecution. I ask you to continue protecting California's communities by opposing any efforts to expand 287(g) participation in our state and supporting legislation that strengthens our existing restrictions. ICE and CBP - and its leaders — are not to be trusted. Until the organization is radically reconstructed, our streets belong to our local law enforcement agencies. Public safety depends on trust between law enforcement and all community members, regardless of immigration status. Thank you.