US Republican lawmaker 'concerned' about ICE operation in California
David Valadao says he will continue talks with administration to urge them 'to prioritize the removal of known criminals over hardworking people'
Photo credit: @RepDavidValadao, X
WASHINGTON
US Republican Rep. David Valadao said Tuesday that he is concerned about the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in California.
"I remain concerned about ongoing ICE operations throughout CA (California) and will continue my conversations with the administration – urging them to prioritize the removal of known criminals over the hardworking people who have lived peacefully in the Valley for years," Valadao said on X.
Valadao, who represents California's 22nd congressional district, also condemned reported violent aspects of some Los Angeles protests against immigration raids.
"I support the First Amendment right to peacefully protest, but the violence and vandalism happening in Los Angeles is unacceptable and I stand with our law enforcement officers working to protect people and regain control over the situation," he added.
Protests erupted on Friday after ICE agents raided local businesses and detained hundreds of people suspected of living in the US illegally. The Trump administration has continued to carry out the raids in defiance of community opposition.
US President Donald Trump decided to deploy the National Guard over the week, defying objections from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who have warned that doing so only serves to inflame tensions caused by the president's mass deportation raids. Roughly 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 US Marines have been deployed under Trump's orders.
Critics of the raids say ICE is going after law-abiding undocumented migrants, a vital part of the community and the local economy, rather than the criminals that Trump pledged to deport while campaigning last year to return to the White House.
