President Donald Trump announced on March 14, 2024, that he has called off plans for a deployment of immigration agents in San Francisco. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he received requests from friends in the area to halt the operation, which was scheduled for March 16. The decision follows a conversation he had with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who reported progress in local efforts to address community concerns.
Lurie confirmed that during their discussion, Trump made it clear that he was canceling any plans for federal deployment in the city. The anticipated arrival of approximately 100 federal agents, including members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, had raised alarm among California officials.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his disapproval of the planned operations, labeling them as actions that echo “a page right out of the dictator’s handbook.” He argued that such deployments are intended to instill fear in communities, which could then justify further federal intervention, such as sending in the National Guard. Newsom stated, “He sends out masked men, he sends out Border Patrol, he sends out ICE, he creates anxiety and fear in the community.”
The Department of Homeland Security had previously confirmed that its agents were targeting serious criminal offenders in cities like San Francisco, among others. A spokesperson indicated that the focus would be on “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,” including individuals charged with serious offenses.
Newsom has indicated that California is prepared to take legal action should federal troops be deployed in San Francisco. “We will file a lawsuit within a nanosecond of any efforts to send the military to one of America’s great cities,” he stated during a public event. He encouraged residents to remain peaceful in light of the federal presence and asserted that the actions taken by Trump and his administration are designed to provoke unrest.
The prospect of deploying the National Guard in San Francisco has been controversial. Trump has suggested that the Guard’s role would be to combat rising crime rates. However, legal experts, including San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, have pointed out that the National Guard, when federalized, lacks the authority to make arrests or investigate crimes. Jenkins emphasized that the Guard is not equipped to tackle issues like the fentanyl crisis or retail theft effectively.
Despite his claims of crime in cities led by Democrats, Newsom highlighted that San Francisco is currently experiencing its lowest homicide rate in six decades, framing the city as one of the safest large urban areas in the United States. He stated, “It’s one of the safest large cities in this country that’s experiencing an economic rebirth and growth.”
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly mentioned San Francisco as a target for federal intervention. His administration has already deployed troops to cities like Los Angeles and Chicago and is awaiting court rulings regarding a similar operation in Portland, Oregon.
The White House has defended the deployment of federal troops in urban areas, citing reductions in crime rates following such actions in cities like Memphis. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, remarked, “San Francisco Democrats should look at the tremendous results in D.C. and Memphis and listen to fellow Democrat Mayor [Muriel] Bowser and welcome the President in to clean up their city.”
In summary, the cancellation of ICE operations in San Francisco marks a significant shift in the federal approach to immigration enforcement in urban areas, reflecting local pressures and concerns about community safety. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about the role of federal authorities in managing crime and immigration across the country.
