Roxanne Hoge, the chairwoman of the Los Angeles County GOP, has raised strong concerns about what she describes as a “two-tiered” justice system fostered by pro-sanctuary Democrats in California. A legal immigrant herself, Hoge argues that these political leaders deliberately maintain structures that keep Latinos and immigrants in a “permanent underclass.” She points out a discrepancy between the progressive narrative of supporting immigrants and the reality of the policies that she claims hamper their advancement. Hoge emphasizes that while law-abiding immigrants face obstacles like long waits to start businesses, those engaging in illegal activities seem to be given lenience, which she believes contributes to the degradation of the community’s environment.
Her criticisms target not only local policies but also the broader historical context of immigration, drawing parallels between past interventions and current debates. Hoge argues that, historically, Democratic leaders expressed outrage over the abolition of slavery fearing a labor shortage, while now, they are similarly concerned about enforcing immigration laws, framing it as impacting agricultural sectors. This portrayal casts the Democratic party as hypocritical, suggesting that their reluctance to enforce immigration laws aims to sustain a labor force that can be easily exploited.
A recent incident involving federal agents discovering unaccompanied minors at a state-licensed cannabis facility has further underscored her concerns about child exploitation in California. Customs and Border Protection has implied that there are significant child labor violations at the facility. Hoge’s commentary indicates that such incidents exemplify the failure of sanctuary policies to protect vulnerable populations and reflects poorly on the state’s leadership, particularly Governor Gavin Newsom, whom she holds partly responsible for these issues.
According to Hoge, Democrats, including Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, manipulate immigrant fears to maintain political leverage. She cites the case of Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, who allegedly staged a fake kidnapping linked to ICE, which was initially portrayed in the media as a genuine threat. This incident, Hoge claims, highlights the tendency of political leaders to exploit immigrant narratives to foster a sense of urgency and fear, which ultimately does little to support those communities and instead perpetuates a cycle of anxiety.
Further supporting her stance, Hoge recalls a time when the governance under a Republican mayor, Richard Riordan, led to a flourishing Los Angeles, contrasting it with the current state where she feels policies have brought about decline. This sentiment speaks to a broader disillusionment with the handling of immigration and urban policy by leftist leaders, whom she accuses of creating a two-tiered system that favors certain individuals while leaving hard-working immigrants vulnerable and marginalized.
Despite Hoge’s strong assertions, her allegations have drawn criticism and dismissal from Democratic leaders, particularly Newsom, who has characterized the narrative of chaos around immigration as misguided. He positions himself in stark contrast to Trump, suggesting that the former president’s harsh enforcement measures have fractured communities rather than protected them. The disagreements illustrate a fundamental divide between the two parties over how immigration policy should be framed and enforced, suggesting that the debate will continue to intensify as the political landscape evolves.
