Immigrant advocates are dismissing the deployment as a political move by President Donald Trump to excite anti-immigration elements among his supporters and intimidate communities that have adopted sanctuary policies to ensure people cooperate with local law enforcement regardless of whether they are in the country illegally or not.
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"(President Trump is) doing this as a way to punish cities and states who actually opted to pass pro-immigrant policies," said Angelica Salas, executive director The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.
It has not been officially disclosed where the agents would be deployed, but many are looking to major cities, like Los Angeles, with so-called sanctuary city laws in place.
Trump administration sending border agents to pursue migrants in 'sanctuary' cities
Trump administration sending border agents to pursue migrants in 'sanctuary' cities
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Michel Moore addressed the city in a video Friday, alerting immigrants of their rights and promising not to work with the Trump Administration.
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"You don't have to open your door to an ICE agent who doesn't have a warrant signed by a judge," Garcetti said. "Rest assured here in Los Angeles we are not coordinating with ICE."
Chief Moore went on to add that the police department is included in that statement.
"Immigration is a federal matter. Safety is a police matter. And we're not going to mix those two," he said.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes claims rise in crime is direct result of 'sanctuary law' bill
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Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes claims rise in crime is direct result of 'sanctuary law' bill
The deployment comes as the president and others in his administration look to increase pressure on a sanctuary city movement that has expanded since he took office.
More than 700 counties have now declined to continue holding people sought by ICE and more than 160 have prohibited officers from even asking people about their immigration status, according to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
Supporters of sanctuary policies say people will be less likely to report crime or to be a witness if they believe they could be deported for doing so.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.