Trump’s First-Day Promises Face Off Against California’s Border and Environmental Policies

On Inauguration Day, President Trump made bold moves that clash with many California policies. He targeted sanctuary cities that shelter undocumented immigrants and rolled back electric vehicle mandates, raising concerns for state Democratic leaders.

Trump wasted no time, signing over 100 executive orders. He declared a national emergency at the southern border, aimed to stop illegal entries, and mentioned plans to deport numerous undocumented immigrants. He also rescinded many Biden era policies on border control and climate change, including pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accords.

One of Trump’s actions halted new regulations and froze federal hiring. He also directed federal offices to avoid censorship and politically targeted actions.

His administration argued that the previous orders endangered American resources and contributed to inflation through strict regulations. On the same day, in East San Jose, immigrant advocates gathered to support their communities. They were ready to fight back, recalling similar threats from Trump’s last term that didn’t lead to mass deportations in the Bay Area. Local laws generally protect residents from federal immigration enforcement.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee spoke up, expressing concerns over policies that could harm families and communities. He reassured residents that the city remains committed to supporting them.

The administration’s stance has been mixed; at times threatening total deportations of the estimated 13 million undocumented immigrants while suggesting a focus on those with criminal histories, estimated at about 650,000. In California’s Bay Area, there are around 471,000 undocumented immigrants, many are now anxious about their safety. For instance, Maria Chavez, who entered the U.S. illegally years ago, shared her worries about potential ICE raids and the impact on her U.S.-born children.

There are also discussions about changes to the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to those born on American soil. However, experts believe any attempt to alter the Constitution via executive order is unlikely to succeed.

Additionally, Trump plans to roll back Biden’s order on artificial intelligence, which aimed to manage the risks associated with the technology.

On environmental issues, Trump expressed intentions to fast-track permits for oil and gas drilling and proposed changing the names of geographic locations back to those used in earlier times. However, many of his previous environmental moves were blocked in court or reversed by President Biden.

Experts predict California will continue to pursue its environmental goals, regardless of federal direction. They believe California’s robust policies will keep moving forward, but the effectiveness in addressing climate change depends on broader cooperation beyond the state.

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