You would be forgiven if you caught the wrong inference from my title. Two things just happened in California. One was the end of an era, meaning things will never be the same ’til I die; God only knows the other was much ado about nothing. Let’s talk about the second one.
A week ago Friday, the Trump administration ordered ICE agents to conduct immigration raids in California. This was indeed a provocation. Various governors and mayors have challenged the federal government on immigration enforcement, refused to cooperate (well within their rights), and said they would resist such raids. The raids were also completely within the legal bounds of what ICE is authorized to do. These two facts are inarguable, wouldn’t it be nice if we could keep both in mind at the same time?
Not only are these raids completely legal, they are routine. They got around under Clinton, Bush, and Obama. The main differences were: (1) the previous Presidents insisted those being rounded up were either (a) criminals, or (b) recent arrivals (such is the law on “removals” as they are called in legal circles) and (2) the ICE agents were alone (without other federal or state assistance) and unmasked.
The Trump administration argues it is prioritizing the same groups, but also detaining any incidental illegal immigrants it discovers during the raids. As to ICE and masking, understand this: ICE agents were not targeted under the previous administrations (if you doubt they are targeted today, search on social media and you’ll find groups dedicated to this mission. I won’t provide links because what they’re doing is illegal.). And back when most state and local law enforcement organizations cooperated with ICE, there was less need for raids, as ICE simply contacted the local authorities and picked up criminal illegal aliens, or recent arrivals who had been arrested for some other crime, to deport them. The recent (last ten years) move to stop local law enforcement cooperation necessitates raids. Funny how that works.
Another difference is how the press and immigration activists described the efforts. Back then, the press took pains to note the good vibrations in the government’s position that it was acting within the laws, and that sometimes entire families had to be deported under the law. Activists were as adamant then as now, stating that everything being done was immoral and illegal; they won few if any cases, but more importantly, they did not encourage interference with federal law enforcement operations. Now they do. They just weren’t made for these times.
As soon as the ICE raids began, groups gathered to interfere. Some of their actions were peaceful protests. Others committed direct interference. As news of the detentions spread, the protests grew. But this was not widespread. Look at a map of the disturbances: you have to be in very specific places to see what’s happening; most angelenos went about their daily business unaffected. Contra President Trump, things were not out of control; this was not the Sloop John B!
But look again at that map. Where were the hotspots? Centered on federal facilities which protesters associated with ICE or detentions. The contention that all was well and under control (from mayor Bass and governor Newsom) was just as contrived. They are welcome to voice their opinions, but the security of federal facilities is the federal government’s–and specifically the President’s–decision. He called out the California National Guard.
Governor Newsom filed suit alleging this act was illegal; his request for an emergency injunction was immediately denied, and while the case will take longer to adjudicate, even if he wins, it will probably be on the technicality that President Trump used the wrong law to enact his deployment (there are two). Did Trump need to call out the National Guard? Probably not, but it was not outrageous to do so, and completely within his authority. The burning cars on the streets weren’t just fun, fun, fun, they settled that argument. As the violence continued, Mayor Bass instituted a local curfew in those areas, which seems to undermine her contention “all was under control.” If everything is calm, there is little need for a dusk-to-dawn curfew in an urban environment.
The National Guard (and soon Marines) number around four thousand troops. They are guarding those same federal buildings. Some officials have suggested troops will accompany ICE on raids, too, but that is not confirmed. Why isn’t the LAPD providing security for ICE on raids? Normally, local law enforcement would create a perimeter for federal law enforcement operations. But local law enforcement can’t be requested, both because they are forbidden to assist ICE in raids, and if ICE notified them of an impending target, there is a certainty the raid target would get notified, too. Oddly enough, the laws and policies stating no support for ICE do not supersede police requests for emergency assistance, so once riots break out, ICE can call on LAPD (“Help me, Ronda!”) to reestablish order. Read that sentence twice: yes, that’s our moral high ground–let the riot start, then suppress it, as long as you don’t help ICE in the first place. Most of the violence and arrests have been between protesters and local law enforcement, not ICE nor the Guard.
LAPD and associated state and local law enforcement hundreds of arrests for criminal trespass, violence, public disturbance, arson, looting, and even attempted murder. That might be a normal Friday night in Compton, but still. The governor’s and mayor’s assurances to “Don’t worry, (ICE) Barbie” didn’t harmonize, let alone reassure.
That’s where things stand as I write this blog. Did President Trump go beyond what he said he would do in his campaign? Not at all. He promised to begin mass deportations, starting with the “worst of the worst” but proceeding to anyone in the country. Secretary of Homeland Security Noem has a running series of commercials encouraging all people in the country illegally to self-deport, even with federal government assistance, and assuring them eventually they will be deported one way or another. Some people may hate this policy, but it was no secret; he was true to his school, or at least his campaign promise.
Did Trump grandstand to stick it to California Governor Newsom? Of course. He probably counted on an overreaction, and got exactly what he wanted: an excuse to send in first the National Guard, then the Marines. For his part, Newsom hoped to re-fire his flailing Presidential hopes by going all in, calling this “the beginning of the end for American democracy.” Those Guard soldiers and Marines can barely occupy a few square blocks: hardly any Army of occupation.
Oh, I mentioned two notable things happened in California. The truly memorable one was the passing of Brian Wilson, the leader and creative genius behind the Beach Boys. Some of you may have caught their famous song titles sprinkled throughout the post (links included to their songs; take a listen). I thought it especially appropriate, as the Beach Boys wrote upbeat songs with surprisingly deep lyrics about life, at a time most Americans thought the country was tearing itself apart. You couldn’t listen to their amazing harmonies (bereft of that scourge of modern music, AutoTune!) and not be impressed (so said the Beatles!), and perhaps for a minute recognize that real beauty is immortal, and transcends the petty politics of the day. A good reminder, a better lesson, and a most positive note.