CA AG Slams ICE Deaths, Sheriff’s Ballot Seizure

California AG Criticizes Deadly ICE Conditions, Questions Sheriff’s Ballot Probe

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sharply criticized the conditions in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers following the death of another detainee, Jose Guadalupe Ramos Solano. Bonta also voiced strong objections to a Riverside County Sheriff’s investigation into recent election ballots, calling it a politically motivated “fishing expedition.” The attorney general’s comments highlight growing concerns over both federal immigration detention practices and local election integrity in California.

Fourteenth Death in ICE Custody This Year

The recent death of Jose Guadalupe Ramos Solano, found unconscious at California’s Atalanto ICE Processing Center, marks the 14th reported death of an individual in ICE custody this year. Attorney General Bonta described the situation as “shocking and unacceptable,” yet sadly not surprising. He pointed to private, for-profit companies running many detention centers, suggesting they cut corners on essential services like healthcare, food, and water. “We do inspections of ICE detention centers every year in California, and we see the same thing every time. Inadequate subpar, inhumane conditions that unfortunately lead to adverse health consequences and sometimes tragically deaths,” Bonta stated.

Jurisdiction Over Deaths in Federal Custody

While federal authorities typically investigate deaths in federal custody, Bonta indicated that California might have grounds to investigate due to the detainee being a Californian and the death occurring within the state. He noted that these centers often rely on contracted private vendors, raising questions about oversight. The attorney general emphasized that while his office inspects conditions, a full investigation into the circumstances of a death usually falls to federal agencies.

Sheriff Accused of Election Interference

In a separate but related issue, Bonta is challenging Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco’s investigation into election ballots. Sheriff Bianco, a Republican and candidate for governor, seized over 650,000 ballots from the November election and an additional 426 boxes of ballot materials. Bonta argues that Bianco has not identified any specific crime or perpetrator, which is a basic requirement for a criminal search warrant. “The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is not equipped nor legally authorized to play the role of elections monitor by all appearances,” Bonta said in a statement. He characterized the sheriff’s actions as an attempt to “sow distrust and undermine public confidence in our elections.”

“Fishing Expedition” and Political Motives

Bonta likened Sheriff Bianco’s investigation to a “fishing expedition,” suggesting it lacks a clear legal basis. The sheriff has described his actions as a “fact-finding mission” to confirm election accuracy while also potentially casting doubt on it. Bonta questioned the competence of sheriff’s deputies to conduct such a review, contrasting them with trained election administrators. He also pointed to the potential for political motivation, given Bianco’s gubernatorial candidacy and alignment with former President Trump’s supporters. The investigation into the redrawing of California’s congressional districts, which aimed to favor Democrats, adds another layer of political complexity.

Undermining Public Trust

The attorney general expressed concern that such actions by elected officials can erode public trust in the electoral process. He noted that a “Trump supporting sheriff who’s running for governor has political motive for a political stunt engaged in this conduct which is unprecedented it doesn’t engender a lot of trust.” Bonta highlighted that discrepancies between preliminary hand counts and final official counts are possible but that the sheriff’s involvement could lead people to question the legitimacy of any outcome. This situation echoes similar controversies seen in other states regarding election audits and ballot reviews.

Looking Ahead

Attorney General Bonta’s legal challenge to Sheriff Bianco’s ballot investigation is expected to proceed in court. Meanwhile, the ongoing scrutiny of ICE detention conditions highlights the persistent need for improved oversight and accountability in federal immigration facilities. The public will be watching to see how these legal and political battles unfold and what impact they have on public confidence in both elections and immigration detention practices in California.

Source: 'Shocking and unacceptable': ICE deaths under Trump admin. blasted by California attorney general (YouTube)