Feds bully state over sanctuary policies

The country’s top immigration cop crossed a dangerous line last week, suggesting politicians in sanctuary cities — i.e., California cities — should be arrested.

During a Fox News appearance last week, acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Thomas Homan said, “This isn’t the America I grew up in. We’ve got to take these sanctuary cities on. We’ve got to take them to court and we’ve got to start charging some of these politicians with crimes.”

California’s leaders obviously disagree.

“We’d encourage this individual to better educate himself on what laws in California do and don’t do before frothing and fearmongering on Fox News,” said Evan Westrup, press secretary for Gov. Jerry Brown.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, whose city strengthened its sanctuary policies for undocumented immigrants last year, went further.

“They (ICE) certainly know where to find me,” Steinberg said, after hearing of Homan’s comments.

California’s leaders are right to respond with defiance in the face of such bald bullying from this misinformed, divisive federal administration.

But all Californians should condemn Homan’s appalling comments.

Suggesting that one’s political opponents should be arrested is the hallmark of tin-pot dictatorships, not a democratic nation. If Homan can’t understand the limitations of his job, ICE should get a new permanent director.

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