Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Warns California Leaders Against Interfering With Federal Immigration Enforcement
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has issued a sharp warning to California’s top state officials, cautioning them not to obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts after several Democratic leaders, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi, suggested potential state action against federal officers.
In a letter sent to Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and other California officials, Blanche stated that any attempt to “arrest, impede, or otherwise interfere” with federal agents enforcing immigration law would be “illegal and futile.” The letter followed public remarks by Pelosi and other state Democrats criticizing recent federal immigration crackdowns across California cities.
“The Constitution grants the federal government sole authority over immigration enforcement,” Blanche wrote. “No state or local official has the power to obstruct or override duly authorized federal operations.”
State leaders have pushed back in recent days, arguing that federal agencies have been overstepping their authority in sanctuary jurisdictions. Pelosi, speaking at a news conference in San Francisco earlier this week, accused the administration of “targeting immigrant communities to create fear and division” and said state authorities were exploring legal options to protect residents.
Blanche’s letter underscored the Justice Department’s position that any interference would invite swift federal action, including potential prosecution of officials who hinder immigration enforcement. He also reaffirmed the department’s commitment to upholding “national sovereignty and the rule of law.”
The standoff marks the latest flashpoint in a longstanding feud between the Trump administration and California over immigration policy. Legal experts predict that if state officials take direct action against federal officers, the matter could quickly escalate into a constitutional battle over federal supremacy and states’ rights.
