Assembly Resolution Would End State Sanctuary Policies Comes Following Anti-ICE Protests In L.A.

Ever since California’s Sanctuary law first came into effect in 2017 following SB 54 signed into law by then-Governor Jerry Brown, many state lawmakers, mostly Republicans, have been trying to stop it. On the opposite side, the majority of lawmakers have fought hard to not only keep them Sanctuary status place, but to hinder ICE and other federal agencies.

In November 2024 the rhetoric from both parties drastically increased. President-elect Donald Trump promised mass deportations and to smash through any sanctuary policies. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued their own promises to limit state and local involvement in deportations. And when Trump was sworn in January 20th, he made good on his promises, while sanctuary states like California and sanctuary cities made good on theirs. Federal forces were sent in to catch and deport criminals, and sanctuary areas did everything they could to block it.

By May, between 140,000 and 200,000 illegal immigrants were deported, showing a significant reversal of the Biden administration, which barely deported anyone. Over 100 California Counties and cities, not to mention the state itself, were found to be major violators of DHS immigration laws, and led in sanctuary city violations. The U.S. Attorney’s office, led by the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli, announced that they found a way around such policies.

This helped lead to a new bump in ICE deportation raids, leading to several days of riots and protests in L.A. earlier this month. With the situation in L.A. growing worse, it sparked lawmakers in California to do something. Their answer? Assembly Concurrent Resolution 98.

ACR 98

ACR 98, authored by Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba) and Assemblyman Stan Ellis (R-Bakersfield), would specifically call for an immediate end to policies that obstruct lawful immigration enforcement and urge the Governor to take immediate action to restore law and order. Essentially it would end the sanctuary system.

“Assemblyman Stan Ellis and I are proud to author ACR 98, an Assembly GOP resolution demanding an end to reckless sanctuary state policies and a return to law and order in California,” Gallagher said about the resolution last week. “Following violent attacks on federal agents in Los Angeles, Assembly Republicans have introduced a resolution demanding the repeal of California’s ‘Sanctuary State’ laws, which block cooperation with federal immigration authorities and put public safety at risk.

“On June 6, federal officers carrying out lawful immigration enforcement were physically assaulted and obstructed by mobs. Republicans say these attacks are the direct consequence of years of policies that handcuff law enforcement and embolden chaos Federal officers were violently attacked in the streets of Los Angeles for doing their job—and Gavin Newsom’s policies helped create the conditions that allowed it to happen. Newsom’s sanctuary state agenda has made it harder to enforce the law and easier for mobs to take over our streets. Enough is enough.”

“Democrats in the Capitol talk a big game about safety, but their actions say otherwise,” added Assemblyman Ellis. “This isn’t just about one incident — this is about a failed policy approach that’s putting every Californian at risk.”

While Democrats have yet to respond to ACR 98, many will release statements soon.

As of Monday, ACR 98 has yet to be given a vote, with most Democrats likely to severely challenge it. The Assembly Concurrent Resolution is likely to be decided for inclusion in legislative committees soon.