Trump Unleashes ICE On California For 45-Day Deportation Operation

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deployed officers from across the country to California, a sanctuary state, in an operation expected to last 45 days, The Daily Wire has learned.

More than 250 ICE officers were deployed to Southern California in recent days to target illegal immigrants regardless of criminal history, according to Homeland Security sources.

One source described the effort as “all hands on deck” and said California was targeted because its sanctuary policies restrict cooperation with ICE, allowing illegal immigrants to leave local jails without being transferred to federal immigration custody.

The Washington Examiner first reported the California ICE operation, dubbed “Operation Safe California.”

The operation began in San Diego and is also underway in Los Angeles County. One source said it is expected to expand across the state as the raids progress.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said “ICE will not disclose or discuss law enforcement operations,” to protect “operational security and the safety of our officers.”

“Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country including in California,” the spokesperson said.

Before the operation began, ICE notified offices nationwide and solicited volunteers to assist with the California raids, sources said.

The operation follows a directive for ICE officers across the country to stop arresting illegal immigrants who lack criminal records. Within hours of The Daily Wire reporting on the orders, DHS reversed course and gave officers the green light to arrest illegal immigrants, regardless of criminal histories.

ICE also recently issued a memo with new guidance on making traffic stops. The notice directed all officers to undergo specialized training before pulling over vehicles.

ICE officers were also instructed not to pursue drivers who refuse to pull over.

“Under no circumstances are ERO officers authorized to engage in vehicle pursuits or vehicle maneuvers for vehicles that fail to pull over,” the order stated.

“Instead, as instructed in the Fugitive Operations Handbook, officers should obtain accurate vehicle information, including vehicle and occupant information, and direction of travel, for further investigation,” it added.

Sources within DHS say officers are under pressure to increase arrests and are working six to seven days a week ahead of the November midterms.