Trump vows to block federal funds for California over bill aiding immigrants against ICE crackdown

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of California, threatening to withhold all federal funding to the state in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent signing of a bill, which purportedly protect families facing federal immigration crackdowns.

Addressing the issue, Trump accused the state of misusing funds.

Trump blasts California over 'illegal' giveaways

Addressing reporters on board Air Force One, Trump said, “Let me just tell you that there will be no money given towards the crazy escalation of giving money to illegal aliens who came into the country totally illegally. I mean, they came here illegally. They want to spend $1.5 trillion, giving it to people who came here illegally. They shouldn't have come in. In fact, one of the reasons they came here is to get that money." 

"California is a big culprit. I mean, California, they're out of control. And we're not going to pay California all of that money that they're giving away illegally!" he said in response to Newsom signing new bills against the federal immigration crackdowns.

He concluded by saying, "And that's another thing. Between California and Colombia, there's not that much difference. We're not going to be making those payments."

California passes bill against immigration crackdowns

Last week, California passed a package of bills, which Democrats say is to protect state residents from the Trump administration’s aggressive use of surveillance, deportation, and detention.

The bill prohibits Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from wearing masks in the state and stipulates that schools and hospitals require a judicial warrant or court order from officers showing up on their premises.

“Our children deserve to feel safe at home, in school, and in the community,” Newsom said in a press statement after signing Assembly Bill 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act.

“We stand by our families and their right to keep their private information safe, maintain parental rights, and help families prepare in case of emergencies.”

Critics say ICE crackdown disrupts life in California

According to supporters of the bill, the swarming of federal immigration and military personnel into Los Angeles County since the summer, on orders from the Trump administration, has led to the arrest of thousands of residents and disrupted public life.

Due to this, safety fears among immigrants have escalated statewide. Families have avoided in-person graduation ceremonies, workers have stopped showing up to clean up construction sites ravaged by wildfires, and street vendors have vanished. Agricultural raids have also slowed the state’s normally robust food production.