In summary
A conservative organization lead by Trump adviser Stephen Miller sent letters to California leaders warning of ‘serious consequences’ over sanctuary policies that protect undocumented residents.
California’s southern border, long ‘ground zero’ in the fight between federal and local officials over immigration policy, is now at the center of renewed controversy over how far local leaders can go to protect people from deportation.
After San Diego County took steps earlier this month to strengthen safeguards for undocumented residents, an organization led by President-elect Donald Trump’s adviser Stephen Miller sent a letter warning that elected leaders and employees of “sanctuary” jurisdictions could be “criminally liable” if they impede federal immigration enforcement.
In the Dec. 23 letter, America First legal Foundation wrote: “We have identified San Diego County as a sanctuary jurisdiction that is violating federal law.”
The conservative legal nonprofit that day announced that it had identified 249 elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions who it said could face “legal consequences” over immigration policies. The California Attorney General’s office and los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were sent similar letters.
The letter also suggests sanctuary city officials could be civilly liable under federal anti-racketeering laws.
With Trump pledging to carry out the “largest mass deportation campaign in U.S. history,” San diego’s board of supervisors enacted a policy on Dec. 12 prohibiting local law enforcement from communicating with immigration authorities about undocumented people in local jails without a judicial warrant.
San Diego’s newly enacted ordinance goes a step further than California’s existing state “sanctuary” law, which only limits cooperation between local law enforcement and the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The law prevents jailers from notifying ICE about non-citizen inmates who are about to be released from local criminal custody unless they committed one of about 800 serious crimes. State prison officials regularly communicate with ICE about people in their custody, including U.S. citizens, public records show.
San Diego County’s action faced immediate pushback, with the county’s top law enforcement official, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, saying she would not follow the new policy and would continue allowing immigration authorities access to the jail inmates.
American First Legal Foundation sent its letter to the chair of San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors, Nora Vargas, who stepped down from her position on Friday citing security concerns just weeks after being elected to a second term.
“Federal law is clear: aliens unlawfully present in the United States are subject to removal from the country, and it is indeed a crime to conceal, harbor, or shield them. It is also a crime to prevent federal officials from enforcing immigration law,” states the letter, dated three days after the resignation.
Vargas referred questions about the letter to a spokesperson, who did not immediately comment. Vargas, who was born in Tijuana, has long championed rights for asylum seekers and immigrants. She was the first immigrant and Latina to serve on San Diego’s board of supervisors. She was elected to the board in 2020, flipping the seat from Republican to Democrat for the first time in decades.
Spokespersons for Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether the management plans to prosecute local officials in sanctuary cities. Trump has named Miller to be his deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor.
California preparing legal battles with Trump administration
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State officials have asked the Legislature, in a special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom last month, for $25 million for legal fights with the incoming administration on issues including immigration.
“This is a scare tactic, plain and simple,” read a statement from the Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, in response to the America first letter. “While we are unable to comment on the specifics of the letter, we want to be clear: SB 54 was upheld by the courts during the first Trump administration, and it prevents the use of state and local resources for federal immigration enforcement with certain narrow exceptions. SB 54 does nothing, however, to block federal agencies from conducting immigration enforcement themselves. California will continue to comply with all applicable state and federal laws, and we expect all local law enforcement agencies to do the same.”
Democratic state Senate leader Mike McGuire, of healdsburg, in response to the letters called the incoming administration’s proposed immigration policies “draconian” and damaging to California’s economy.
“The previous Trump administration came at California before on a variety of legal fronts and the majority of the time, lost,” said McGuire, whose office did not receive a letter. “Mark my word, we’ll be prepared again.”
The state is home to several major cities with policies limiting cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. proponents say such policies make immigrants less fearful of deportation when reporting crimes to or cooperating with the police. Los Angeles adopted a sanctuary city ordinance in November, fast-tracking the policy after Trump’s election.
Asked for comment on the America first letter, Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, called it “wrong on public safety and wrong on the law.”
“Sanctuary policies are against the law, make a mockery of America’s democratic principles, and demonstrate a shocking disrespect for our Constitution and our citizens. The officials in charge of sanctuary jurisdictions have no excuse and must be held accountable,” read a statement from James Rogers, a senior counsel with America First Legal.
Trump targeted California sanctuary cities before
The state’s own sanctuary law, signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown in 2017, curbs local sheriffs’ transfers of detainees to federal immigration custody and also prohibits police from asking people about their immigration status. That law, Senate Bill 54, contains an exception for state prisons, which regularly transfer ex-inmates who have completed their sentences to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.
Trump advisers, including Miller, have been considering using federal pressure, such as withholding federal funds, against jurisdictions that won’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The last Trump administration tried to get the California sanctuary law overturned in federal court, but the Supreme Court in 2020 declined to hear its petition. And in 2018, Trump’s Department of Homeland Security floated criminal charges against politicians of cities that enact sanctuary policies. It did not file charges.
“So-called ‘sanctuary’ jurisdictions that forbid compliance with federal immigration law and cooperation with the officials who enforce it are, thus, breaking the law.Moreover, sanctuary jurisdictions are strictly prohibited from requiring their employees to violate federal immigration law,” the America First letter states.
But Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law, said the letter’s reasoning that sanctuary policies amount to “harboring” or concealing federal fugitives is flawed.
“Not inquiring about someone’s status is not harboring. Neither is declining to share such information,” Arulanantham said in a text message Friday. “I’m not aware of any criminal protections based on such conduct, and the letter fails to cite any.”
To carry out his plan to deport more people than any other president, Trump will need the cooperation of local officials. Immigrant Legal Resource Center, a national nonprofit that provides legal training and does pro-immigrant policy work in California and Texas, estimates 70 to 75% of ICE arrests in the interior of the U.S. are handoffs from another law enforcement agency, such as local jails or state or federal prisons. Since 2019,California’s state prison system has delivered more than 5,700 formerly incarcerated immigrants to ICE,federal data shows.
San Diego was the epicenter of a surge of unauthorized crossings earlier this year, straining local resources. In April, 37,370 people crossed between ports of entry in the San Diego sector, with the majority surrendering to Border Patrol to claim asylum. This made it the top spot for crossings in the country for a few weeks in 2024, according to federal data. the number of unauthorized crossings dropped sharply after the Biden administration implemented new asylum restrictions in June.
Unlocking the Power of WordPress URL Rewrites
WordPress, the world’s most popular content management system, offers incredible versatility in managing website URLs. This flexibility comes largely from its robust rewrite rule system, allowing website owners to customize their site’s URL structure for better SEO, user experience, and overall site performance. This article explores the intricacies of WordPress URL rewriting, focusing on practical applications and best practices for U.S. audiences.
Understanding WordPress Rewrite Rules
WordPress utilizes a class called WP_Rewrite [[3]] to manage these rewrite rules. These rules essentially map user-pleasant URLs to the actual files or database entries on your server. Such as, rather of a clunky URL like yoursite.com/?p=123, you can create a clean, SEO-friendly URL like yoursite.com/my-amazing-article. This is crucial for both search engine optimization and user experience.
Customizing Your WordPress URLs
Customizing your URLs goes beyond simply enabling “pretty permalinks.” You can create highly specific rewrite rules to achieve unique URL structures. As an example, you might want articles to appear as if they have “.html” extensions, mimicking customary web pages. This can be accomplished through custom code or plugins [[2]], but requires careful implementation to avoid breaking your site.
The Power of .htaccess
The .htaccess file is a powerful tool for fine-tuning your website’s URL structure [[1]]. Though, directly editing this file can be risky if not done correctly. A single mistake can render your website inaccessible. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the implications of any changes you make and always back up your .htaccess file before making any modifications. Many WordPress plugins offer a user-friendly interface for managing rewrite rules, minimizing the risk of errors.
Best Practices for URL Rewriting
- keep it simple and consistent: Avoid overly complex URL structures. A clear, concise URL is easier for both users and search engines to understand.
- Use relevant keywords: Incorporate keywords related to your content into your URLs to improve SEO.
- Test thoroughly: After implementing any changes, thoroughly test your website to ensure all links are working correctly.
- Back up your files: Always back up your
.htaccessfile and your entire WordPress installation before making any significant changes.
By mastering WordPress rewrite rules, you can significantly enhance your website’s performance and user experience. Remember to approach this powerful tool with caution and always prioritize testing and backups to avoid potential issues.
Supporting Autonomous Journalism: Your contribution Matters
Independent journalism plays a vital role in informing the public and holding power accountable. Without the support of readers, the ability to deliver crucial news and in-depth analysis is significantly hampered. Your contribution, however small, makes a tangible difference in ensuring the continued success of investigative reporting and unbiased news coverage.
This year-end drive offers a unique prospect to maximize your impact. For a limited time, all donations are being tripled, meaning your contribution will go three times as far in supporting vital journalistic work.
Why Your Support is Crucial
In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, independent news organizations face increasing challenges.Maintaining journalistic integrity, conducting thorough investigations, and providing accurate information requires significant resources. Your financial support directly enables us to continue delivering high-quality journalism that serves the public interest.
Consider the impact of your contribution: it helps fund investigative reporting that uncovers critical issues, supports fact-checking to combat misinformation, and ensures access to reliable news for communities across the nation. Every dollar donated helps us maintain our commitment to unbiased,accurate reporting.
“Please give what you can today. Every gift helps,” a statement that underscores the collective power of individual contributions. Your generosity ensures the continuation of a free and independent press, a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
Make a Difference Today
Your donation, tripled during this year-end campaign, will directly support our mission to provide reliable, in-depth news coverage. help us continue to serve the public by contributing today. Even a small contribution can make a significant difference.
Unlocking the Power of WordPress URL Rewrites
WordPress, the world’s most popular content management system, offers incredible flexibility in managing website URLs. This flexibility comes largely from its robust rewrite rule system, allowing website owners to customize their site’s URL structure for better SEO, user experience, and overall site performance. This article explores the intricacies of wordpress URL rewriting, focusing on practical applications and best practices for U.S. audiences.
Understanding WordPress Rewrite Rules
WordPress utilizes a class called WP_Rewrite [[3]] to manage these rewrite rules. These rules essentially map user-friendly URLs to the actual files or database entries on your server. For example, rather of a clunky URL like yoursite.com/?p=123,you can create a clean,SEO-friendly URL like yoursite.com/my-amazing-article. This is crucial for both search engine optimization and user experience.
Customizing Your WordPress URLs
Customizing your URLs goes beyond simply enabling “pretty permalinks.” You can create highly specific rewrite rules to achieve unique URL structures. for instance, you might want articles to appear as if they have “.html” extensions, mimicking traditional web pages. This can be accomplished through custom code or plugins [[2]], but requires careful implementation to avoid breaking your site.
The Power of .htaccess
The .htaccess file is a powerful tool for fine-tuning your website’s URL structure [[1]]. Though, directly editing this file can be risky if not done correctly. A single mistake can render your website inaccessible. Thus, it’s crucial to understand the implications of any changes you make and always back up your .htaccess file before making any modifications. Many WordPress plugins offer a user-friendly interface for managing rewrite rules, minimizing the risk of errors.
Best Practices for URL Rewriting
- Keep it simple and consistent: Avoid overly complex URL structures. A clear, concise URL is easier for both users and search engines to understand.
- Use relevant keywords: Incorporate keywords related to your content into your URLs to improve SEO.
- Test thoroughly: After implementing any changes,thoroughly test your website to ensure all links are working correctly.
- Back up your files: always back up your
.htaccessfile and your entire WordPress installation before making any significant changes.
By mastering WordPress rewrite rules, you can significantly enhance your website’s performance and user experience. Remember to approach this powerful tool with caution and always prioritize testing and backups to avoid potential issues.
Supporting Independent Journalism: Your Contribution Matters
Independent journalism plays a vital role in informing the public and holding power accountable.Without the support of readers, the ability to deliver crucial news and in-depth analysis is significantly hampered. Your contribution, though small, makes a tangible difference in ensuring the continued success of investigative reporting and unbiased news coverage.
This year-end drive offers a unique opportunity to maximize your impact. For a limited time, all donations are being tripled, meaning your contribution will go three times as far in supporting vital journalistic work.
Why Your Support is Crucial
In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, independent news organizations face increasing challenges. Maintaining journalistic integrity, conducting thorough investigations, and providing accurate information requires significant resources. Your financial support directly enables us to continue delivering high-quality journalism that serves the public interest.
Consider the impact of your contribution: it helps fund investigative reporting that uncovers critical issues, supports fact-checking to combat misinformation, and ensures access to reliable news for communities across the nation.Every dollar donated helps us maintain our commitment to unbiased, accurate reporting.
“Please give what you can today. Every gift helps,” a statement that underscores the collective power of individual contributions. Your generosity ensures the continuation of a free and independent press, a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
Make a Difference Today
Your donation, tripled during this year-end campaign, will directly support our mission to provide reliable, in-depth news coverage. Help us continue to serve the public by contributing today. Even a small contribution can make a significant difference.
This code appears to be a snippet of HTML markup containing a blog post or article with several headings, paragraphs, and embedded links. let’s break down some key points:
Topics Covered:
WordPress URL rewrites: The article focuses on explaining and demonstrating how to modify and customize URLs in a WordPress website.
Timestamps: The code snippet has elements suggesting a structured format, possibly a blog post with a table newline |
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Importance of Support for Journalism: There’s a section advocating for supporting independent journalism, likely suggesting donations or subscriptions to a news organization.
Key Components:
- Headings (h1, h2): Used to structure the content and highlight main points (e.g., “Unlocking the Power of WordPress URL Rewrites,” “Best Practices for URL Rewriting”).
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Divide the text into logical chunks, providing explanations and details about WordPress rewrite rules, the .htaccessfile, and best practices for URL customization.
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Internal links: Point to other sections within the article (e.g., [1], [2], [3] point to likely internal anchor links or sections within the same article).
External Links:
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.htaccess files and WordPress rewriting.*
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Overall:
The code snippet suggests a well-structured blog post or article discussing technical aspects of WordPress URL rewriting and making a plea for supporting independent journalism. It includes internal links for navigation, external links for further reading, and an image to enhance the visual appeal of the content.
