President Trump appointed Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff Friday, sparking alarm in California’s immigrant communities.
The Los Angeles Times reported the move signals the administration will double down on its controversial immigration policies, even as midterm election losses suggest public opposition.
The appointment of Miller, who grew up in Santa Monica and has been a vocal critic of California’s immigration policies, comes on the heels of sweeping Democratic victories across the country. These wins, particularly in regions like California’s Central Valley, are giving immigrant advocates hope that a new Congress will provide more tools to counter the administration’s agenda. Source: Los Angeles Times
Immigrant rights leaders expressed deep concern over Miller’s expanded role. Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, warned that the promotion indicates the president may intensify ICE crackdowns and deportations. He thinks that every problem starts with the immigrant community — and that getting rid of them is the solution,
Abdi said.
He noted that Iranian communities, heavily concentrated in Los Angeles, risk increased demonization. Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles, described Miller’s influence as a reign of terror
and pointed to post-election arrests that felt very vengeful.
While many advocates predict more aggressive enforcement, others see little change in Miller’s influence. Ahilan Arulanantham, faculty co-director of UCLA’s Miñana Family Center for Immigration Law and Policy, stated that Miller has been adopting the most extreme authoritarian and racist views … for the entire two years of this administration.
He suggested Miller’s title change would not alter his approach.
The administration previously pulled back some of its most aggressive immigration tactics after backlash, including raids that led to civilian deaths in Minnesota. Source: Los Angeles Times
