Overview

• U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has launched 'Operation Guardian Angel' to prosecute undocumented immigrants with criminal records who re-enter the U.S. after deportation.
• The program focuses on identifying individuals in California jails and prisons, filing federal charges, and obtaining arrest warrants to bypass state sanctuary laws.
• California officials argue they already cooperate on criminal cases and have vowed to uphold the state's sanctuary laws despite federal pressure.
• Local leaders and experts criticize the operation, citing concerns over community trust, capacity challenges, and the administration's narrative linking immigration to crime.
• Since its start on May 10, the operation has resulted in 13 arrests, with plans to scale up to 50 arrests per week despite potential legal and logistical hurdles.