Progressive Governor Gavin Newsom has long preached to America about the virtues of California’s welcoming “sanctuary” policies, but after just 16 migrants were dropped off without “advance warning” at a Sacramento church, he has launched an investigation into possible “state-sanctioned kidnapping.”
“Today, Attorney General Rob Bonta and I met with over a dozen migrants in Sacramento,” Newsom said in a Saturday statement. “These individuals were transported from Texas to New Mexico before being flown by private chartered jet to Sacramento and dumped on the doorstep of a local church without any advance warning.”
(Video: YouTube)
“We are working closely with the Mayor’s office, along with local and nonprofit partners to ensure the people who have arrived are treated with respect and dignity, and get to their intended destination as they pursue their immigration cases,” the governor continued. “My Administration is also working with the California Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances around who paid for the group’s travel and whether the individuals orchestrating this trip misled anyone with false promises or have violated any criminal laws, including kidnapping.”
It is unclear whether these migrants actually wanted to go to California. With such iconic destinations as Hollywood and the many beaches, and given Newsom’s previous pro-immigration statements, it isn’t implausible. After all, according to a recent Dream Big Travel Far blog, “With 268.1 million domestic visits and 17.9 million overseas arrivals, California is no doubt one of the most popular travel destinations in the US.”
But according to Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, the migrants must have been “lured” to California in a “trafficking” scheme.
“Human trafficking is not only despicable; it’s a felony,” Steinberg said in a statement, according to KCRA. “I urge the appropriate authorities to investigate how 16 vulnerable people were lured to travel from El Paso, Texas, to Sacramento. Whoever is behind this must answer the following: Is there anything more cruel than using scared human beings to score cheap political points?”
Of course, Newsom was all about using immigration for “political points” back when Donald Trump was president. He vowed California would not participate in exactly the kind of “political theater” he is now directing.
“With the president intentionally making things worse on immigration, California is refusing to play any part in the political theater coming out of Washington,” Newsom tweeted in April 2019. “We will continue to provide shelter to all who need it and sanctuary to all who seek it. California is for everyone.”
With the president intentionally making things worse on immigration, California is refusing to play any part in the political theater coming out of Washington. We will continue to provide shelter to all who need it and sanctuary to all who seek it. California is for everyone.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 17, 2019
California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the situation “disgusting,” claiming the migrants carried documents that appeared to be issued by Florida, not New Mexico as Newsom had stated.
“While we continue to collect evidence, I want to say this very clearly: State-sanctioned kidnapping is not a public policy choice, it is immoral and disgusting,” Bonta said in a statement. His agency, he assured Californians, is looking at potentially taking criminal or civil action against whoever is responsible for arranging or transporting the young Venezuelan and Colombian migrants.
“We are a nation built by immigrants and we must condemn the cruelty and hateful rhetoric of those, whether they are state leaders or private parties, who refuse to recognize humanity and who turn their backs on extending dignity and care to fellow human beings,” Bonta said. “California and the Sacramento community will welcome these individuals with open arms and provide them with the respect, compassion, and care they will need after such a harrowing experience.”
Because flying out of an overrun border town on a private jet to one of the most popular destinations on earth is the very definition of “harrowing.”
Online, folks aren’t buying it.
Once the federal government let’s them come across our border and gives them asylum they are free to go anywhere in the US they want. Gavin Newsom just doesn’t want them in his backyard. Typical liberal.
— Rich Newton (@Rich_Newton_) June 4, 2023
Hey you are a sanctuary city remember , it’s all fun and games until they land in YOUR backyard ! Enjoy , we have more coming to you .. Good job Greg Abbott ! pic.twitter.com/T9MJZnjYeS
— JRA (@DawgJra) June 4, 2023
Why does it matter how they got to California? Love is Love, right Gov Hair Gel?
— Dr. Michael Sepulveda (@DrMikeSepulveda) June 4, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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