Since becoming President Trump has steered clear from Democratic California state. On Tuesday he visited the sanctuary state to survey prototypes for his long-touted border wall in San Diego.
MORE: 'Felons, Illegals and MS13 Welcome!' Signs Spread Across California After it Becomes Sanctuary State
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown Hotel ready to oppose his visit.
Tudor Popescu, 38, is a software engineer by day and an activist by night. He brought this projector to tonight’s protest against Trump in DTLA. It reads: “oppose racism, oppose Trump.” pic.twitter.com/4oDBEoqPdH
— Melissa Etehad اتحاد (@melissaetehad) March 14, 2018
The president also spoke with immigration enforcement officials and with Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Trump is known for backing up ICE and their enforcement of immigration raids. While there he tweeted out that "California’s sanctuary policies are illegal and unconstitutional and put the safety and security of our entire nation at risk. Thousands of dangerous & violent criminal aliens are released as a result of sanctuary policies, set free to prey on innocent Americans."
Leftover signs from last night’s protest near hotel in downtown LA for President Trump’s first CA visit. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/ckA1OwGlHT
— Margaret Carrero (@KNXmargaret) March 14, 2018
Governor Jerry Brown countered Trump's statement by saying, "California thrives because we welcome immigrants and innovators from across the globe."
Thanks for the shout-out, @realDonaldTrump. But bridges are still better than walls. And California remains the 6th largest economy in the world and the most prosperous state in America. #Facts
— Jerry Brown (@JerryBrownGov) March 13, 2018
Since January, when California became a sanctuary state, ICE Deputy Director, Thomas Homan has been pushing the Trump Administration's agenda to deport and detain as many undocumented people. In February Oakland Libby Schaaf even released a statement warning residents that ICE would be conducting an immigration sweep in the bay area.
