California Elections: Trump-Backed Candidate Criticizes Cooperation with ICE

Steve Hilton leads Republican polls

Criticizes sanctuary policies

Tough stance on illegal immigration

Steve Hilton is emerging as one of the key figures heading into the June 2 Republican primaries in California. His campaign has focused heavily on immigration and state policies.

Why it matters: Hilton’s positioning reflects a hardline approach within the Republican Party in California, especially on immigration and security issues.

Hilton has openly questioned sanctuary policies implemented in the state. In interviews with Fox News and KQED, he described them as “performative.”

According to the candidate, these policies directly influence immigration enforcement operations. He argued that they lead to more aggressive actions by ICE in local communities.

Steve Hilton criticizes sanctuary policies in California

Hilton argued that the lack of local cooperation forces the federal agency to carry out raids in neighborhoods. He said this could have been avoided.

“Everything could have been avoided if we didn’t have sanctuary policies in California,” he stated in one of his appearances.

He also claimed that the current system sends the wrong message about law enforcement. In his view, it creates permissiveness toward illegal behavior.

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Steve Hilton proposes a “cooperative approach” between state and federal authorities as part of his immigration stance. His goal is to facilitate the arrest of individuals who commit crimes.

“Let’s try to enforce the law,” he said in an interview with KQED, referring to the need to prevent violence and disorder.

His stance on immigration and citizenship

Steve Hilton Immigration Stance Ahead of Elections – Photo ChatGPT

Hilton describes himself as “100% pro-immigration,” although he draws clear distinctions on how it should be managed, according to La Nación.

He opposes creating new pathways to citizenship, arguing that a functional legal pathway already exists.

His argument is based on his own experience. He arrived in the United States in 2012 and obtained citizenship in 2021.

“It took me nine years,” he explained in an interview with journalist Annie Rose Ramos on KTLA.

The candidate insists that immigration must follow legal processes. He acknowledges that the system can be bureaucratic.

However, he maintains that it is possible to complete it. “I lived it myself,” he said about his immigration journey.

He also stated that while not all migrants are criminals, those who enter illegally are breaking the law.

In statements to Fox News, he said many citizens and legal migrants are “fed up” with illegal immigration.

Hilton criticized benefits provided to people without legal status. He mentioned EBT cards and free cell phones as examples.

“People are tired,” Steve Hilton concluded, referring to public frustration on the issue and reinforcing his immigration stance.

Leadership in polls ahead of the primaries

Heading into the Republican primaries, Hilton leads voter preference, according to a recent survey by UC Berkeley.

The candidate holds 17% support among potential voters, followed by Sheriff Chad Bianco with 16%.

Support for Hilton is particularly strong among certain segments of the electorate.

He leads among Republicans with 45% support and among conservatives with 49%.

He also registers 47% among those who identify with the MAGA movement.

These numbers solidify his position as one of the leading contenders in the race.

What’s next: The June 2 primaries will be key to measuring the real impact of his message on California’s Republican electorate.