A California sheriff is taking a bold stand against state laws he says protect criminals over citizens. Amador County Sheriff Gary Redman vows to ignore California’s sanctuary policies by alerting ICE about illegal immigrants in his custody who pose serious public safety risks. His defiance puts him on a collision course with state leaders who prioritize shielding undocumented residents over law enforcement cooperation.
California’s sanctuary law blocks police from helping federal immigration agents except in rare cases. Redman calls the rules dangerous, arguing they force officers to release violent offenders back into communities. He claims his duty to protect citizens trumps obedience to Sacramento politicians who’ve “championed criminals” through soft immigration policies. The sheriff already faces state warnings but refuses to back down.
Other conservative areas like Huntington Beach have challenged sanctuary laws but stopped short of outright defiance. Redman stands alone in openly pledging to violate the statute, risking lawsuits or removal from office. He argues ordinary Americans shouldn’t pay the price for illegal immigration while politicians live safely behind gated communities. “I’ll take the heat if it means keeping one child safe,” he says.
The clash highlights growing tension between Trump-era immigration enforcement and California’s progressive agenda. Since Trump’s 2025 return to office, ICE arrests have skyrocketed while sanctuary cities face funding threats. Redman’s supporters cheer his rebellion, calling it overdue pushback against laws that tie law enforcement’s hands. Critics accuse him of grandstanding and violating constitutional safeguards.
Recent crimes like a Los Angeles soccer coach’s alleged sexual assaults on teenage players fuel Redman’s resolve. The suspect entered illegally but lived undetected for years—a failure Redman blames on sanctuary policies. “California rolled out the welcome mat for predators,” he argues, saying the state cares more about illegal immigrants’ rights than victims’.
State officials warn Redman could face injunctions or criminal charges for ignoring sanctuary rules. He’s consulted lawyers but remains unfazed, claiming most Californians secretly support his stance. Polls show residents evenly split on sanctuary laws, with rural areas strongly opposing them. Redman’s rural county overwhelmingly backed Trump in 2024, giving him political cover.
While liberal cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco forbid police from coordinating with ICE, Redman says that approach betrays public trust. He notes release dates are public record anyway, making state restrictions pointless theater. “Sacramento wants us to play dumb while criminals walk free,” he scoffs. His office now posts jail releases online so anyone—including ICE—can track them.
The sheriff’s rebellion has turned this quiet Gold Country community into a national flashpoint. Redman receives daily death threats but also messages praising his courage from across America. As California’s only sheriff openly defying sanctuary laws, he’s become a folk hero to conservatives tired of “lawless” immigration policies. “I took an oath to protect this county,” Redman declares. “No politician will make me break it.”
