New Federal Task Force Targets Criminal Illegal Re-Entrants in L.A., Challenges Sanctuary City Policies

A bold new immigration enforcement initiative known as Operation Guardian Angel is launching in Los Angeles as a federal pilot program aimed at deporting illegal immigrant felons who have re-entered the United States after prior deportation. Led by U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the task force brings together agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The initiative seeks to circumvent the legal protections offered by so-called “sanctuary city” policies by leveraging. . .