California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has firmly denied allegations that sanctuary policies are directly responsible for rising crime and violence in Democratic-run jurisdictions, calling the claims ‘fake news’ orchestrated by the Trump administration to justify its policies. The debate gained renewed attention after two illegal immigrants were arrested for shooting an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer in New York City, leading the Trump Justice Department to file a lawsuit against the city for its sanctuary policies.
Critics, including former officials and experts, argue that these policies enable criminal aliens to evade immigration enforcement, citing the suspects’ long criminal histories and ICE detainers ignored by local authorities. Newsom’s spokesperson countered by highlighting California’s declining violent crime rates, arguing the Trump administration’s actions are driven by cruelty rather than public safety.
While the Trump DOJ lawsuit over New York’s sanctuary policies has raised concerns about the impact of such policies on public safety, Newsom’s team emphasized that California’s crime statistics show a decline in violent offenses under his leadership. The state’s Department of Justice reported a 6% decrease in violent crime compared to 2023, although it remains 10.8% higher than in 2019. Newsom’s office claimed that the state still maintains ‘the second lowest homicide rate since 1966,’ underscoring its commitment to public safety while defending its policies against political criticism.