ICYMI - Issa Supports Leader Jones Overhaul of California Sanctuary State Law
ICYMI - Issa lends support for Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones' (San Diego) SB 554 to overhaul California's sanctuary state law.
“The authors and advocates of California’s sanctuary laws claim they protect people. But that’s not true. For years, they have instead shielded many of the most dangerous criminals in the country, all of them here illegally, and the names of the innocent California victims are a roll call of shame on the Governor and the Legislature. Sen. Jones has advanced a solution, I urge its fair consideration, and I hope it ends this terrible legacy.” – Congressman Darrell Issa
Senate Minority Leader Jones Leads Effort to Overhaul California’s Sanctuary State Law
February 21, 2025
from the Office of Senator Jones: Senate Minority Leader Jones Leads Effort to Overhaul California’s Sanctuary State Law | Senator Brian Jones
Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego), along with a group of community leaders, held a press conference today to announce Leader Jones’ Senate Bill 554, the Safety Before Criminal Sanctuary Act. The measure will help ensure violent offenders are not shielded from federal immigration authorities.
SB 554 provides limitations to Senate Bill 54 (2017), which declares California as a Sanctuary State. While maintaining existing limits on state and local engagement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), this bill prohibits local jurisdictions from further restricting cooperation and mandates cooperation for specific violent crimes already exempted under SB 54.
“The Safety Before Criminal Sanctuary Act is a commonsense measure to tighten up California’s Sanctuary State policies in favor of public safety,” said Leader Jones. “Importantly, this bill ensures violent criminals are not shielded from federal immigration authorities, using every tool in the toolbox to keep our communities safe.”
SB 54 (De León, 2017) designated California as a sanctuary state, restricting the use of state and local resources for federal immigration enforcement. However, the law included exceptions allowing—though not requiring—local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE for individuals convicted of specified felonies, including serious or violent crimes, child abuse, unlawful weapon possession or use, DUIs, trafficking controlled substances, human trafficking, rape, kidnapping, torture, gang activity, and those on the Sex and Arson Registry.
SB 554 is in response to a recent San Diego County ordinance declaring itself a “Super Sanctuary County,” banning law enforcement from cooperating with ICE for any offense—even those exempted under SB 54—unless a federal warrant is issued.
“We are stopping ‘super sanctuary’ cities and counties,” said Jones.
SB 554 prevents local jurisdictions from further restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement beyond what SB 54 already prescribes. It also mandates that local law enforcement cooperate with ICE in cases where SB 54 simply allows it, ensuring violent offenders are not shielded from federal immigration authorities.
The bill is supported by California State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson, El Cajon Mayor Bills Wells, Vista Mayor John Franklin, San Marcos City Councilman Ed Musgrove, Santee School Board Member Tracie Thill, Lakeside School Board President Andrew Hayes, Sharie Finn (Mother of a Survivor, Child Welfare Advocate, Founder of The Rad Movement, Amy Reichert (Founder of Restore San Diego), and additional San Diego public safety activists, San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Congressman Darrell Issa, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, and Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn.