California officially became a sanctuary state on January 1, 2018, making it a violation of state law for local law enforcement officials to cooperate with federal immigration officials. Sure to not miss an opportunity, a local prankster quickly posted fake California highway signs, welcoming travelers to the sanctuary state of California, adding “felons, illegal and MS-13 Welcome!” California joins Illinois, Oregon, Vermont and Connecticut in the list of states that have officially adopted sanctuary policies.
The sign, not unlike one previously posted in Malibu, when the tony seaside community of the stars and multi-millionaires passed a similar ordinance earlier this year, was quick to gain national attention. Both signs underscore the lunacy of sanctuary policies, which are not only a clear violation of federal law but endanger the lives of innocent Americans. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Thomas Homan, nearly 10,000 criminal aliens who have been released back onto the streets due to sanctuary policies have recommitted crimes.
Despite a promise by the Department of Justice to “claw back” funds from sanctuary communities, the number of sanctuary cities across the country has increased dramatically since President Trump’s election, from roughly 300 to more than 500 today.
Thankfully, there are states that have also passed legislation outlawing sanctuary policies, including Texas, Mississippi, Indiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina.