Creating Danger in the Golden State

by Mark Angelides

Libby Schaaf, the mayor of Oakland California, is set to be in hot water over her possibly criminal actions to protect illegal immigrants from being picked up in raids by ICE. Last week, she sent out a memo (that she also promoted through social media) to warn people that there was a high possibility of a raid coming and that “undocumented” folk should take adequate protections. ICE has just confirmed that due to Schaaf’s actions, around 800 people slipped the net.
Schaaf stated that:
“My priority is for the well-being and safety of all residents – particularly our most vulnerable. I know that Oakland is a city of law-abiding immigrants and families who deserve to live free from the constant threat of arrest and deportation.”
Apparently she came across the information about the ICE raid through her position as mayor and decided it would be in the best interest of Bay area residents to let everyone know. The raid picked up and estimates 100 to 150 people. And Schaaf is being hailed as a hero by others in the Democrat party.
She made it very clear when justifying her actions that “I believe it is my duty and moral obligation as mayor to give those families fair warning when that threat appears imminent,” she also said she was willing to go to jail for her beliefs…This may, in fact, turn out to be the very result.
What her supporters either fail to realize or refuse to acknowledge is that ICE does not really do random sweeps asking “Papers, NOW!” They act on intel, and are most specifically concerned with picking up those who have committed crimes in the US. If a few people get picked up who haven’t committed crimes, well, this is the price you pay for being in a country illegally.
Acting Director of ICE, Thomas Homan, described Schaaf’s actions as borderline criminal saying: “What she did is no better than a gang lookout yelling ‘police’ when a police cruiser comes in the neighborhood, except she did it to a whole community.”
Schaaf claims she wants Oakland residents to be safe; presumably she means safe from crime and criminals. What could be safer than removing the criminal element from your community? It is the very residents she professes to be protecting that are the victims of the crimes committed. It makes no sense to say that her actions are “protection.”
Homan old Fox News that over 800 public safety criminal threats managed to evade capture because of Schaaf’s actions. In a nation ruled by real justice, she would be partly responsible for crimes committed by those she assisted. Perhaps as the DOJ now looks set to open an investigation into her, we might have some actual real law enforcement.
She is not helping the residents of California one bit. She is increasing their chances of being targeted by criminals. This in itself should be a crime.