California Republican Assemblymember Kate Sanchez plans to introduce a bill that would crack down on what she sees as a “sanctuary state” loophole allowing criminal illegal immigrants involved in sex-trafficking minors to evade federal authorities.
Sanchez’s bill would eliminate restrictions on local law enforcement cooperation with federal agencies in investigating and deporting sex traffickers of minors. Currently, California’s “sanctuary state” policies, such as the California Values Act (SB 54), limit local law enforcement’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement, but sex trafficking is not always classified as a violent felony under California law, making it difficult for local agencies to cooperate with federal authorities.
Sanchez argues that this loophole allows sex traffickers to remain in the country after serving their sentences, creating a safety issue for the state’s children. She believes her bill would help “remove the unnecessary restrictions” for local law enforcement to work with federal authorities and go after sex traffickers.
The bill faces an uphill battle in the Democratic-dominated state legislature, which is instead focused on passing bills to “Trump-proof” the state, including funding for nonprofit organizations to defend illegal immigrants from Trump’s deportation efforts. The $50 million special session bill has been blocked by Assembly lawmakers, with concerns over how the funds would be used.
Sanchez’s plan may align with President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan, but it has yet to be seen whether it will gain traction in the state legislature.
