March 1, 2025 — Clovis Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce, during a guest hosting appearance on KMJ’s “Ray Appleton” program, ignited a discussion on California’s contentious sanctuary policies, specifically the impact of Senate Bill 54 on local communities and law enforcement. Pearce expressed deep concern that SB 54 restricts local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, hindering the removal of criminal offenders, and argued it prioritizes undocumented immigrants over law-abiding citizens and legal residents.
“I want to take the handcuffs off law enforcement and make sure that they can work with federal partners to put those handcuffs on criminal illegal aliens,” Pearce stated, emphasizing her desire to empower law enforcement. She strongly criticized SB 54, saying it disrupts the transfer of criminal undocumented immigrants from local jails to federal custody, forcing ICE to conduct potentially riskier apprehensions in public.
Pearce described state policies as defying common sense, advocating for restored cooperation between county jails and federal agencies like ICE. She characterized current restrictions as a public safety risk, forcing ICE to conduct enforcement operations in public rather than secure jail environments. The possibility of legal action against the state was a key point, with Pearce revealing that some Fresno County officials are considering joining a lawsuit challenging SB 54. She urged a unified front with other jurisdictions. “That’s really the long and the short of this conversation,” Pearce said, regarding her focus on enabling law enforcement to effectively address criminal undocumented individuals, and believing collective action would increase the likelihood of meaningful reform.
Pearce expressed support for Fresno County’s potential legal challenge against SB 54, urging a unified front with other jurisdictions. She also endorsed State Sen. Brian Jones’s SB 554, which seeks to reform the sanctuary law. While acknowledging the challenges in a Democrat-controlled legislature, Pearce stressed the importance of supporting efforts that prioritize public safety.
Addressing concerns about documentation, Pearce acknowledged the need for a system to verify legal status. She emphasized the importance of distinguishing between those with legal rights and those without, while also recognizing the need to address situations where citizens or legal residents have lost documentation. One caller raised the challenge of identifying legal residents, questioning the feasibility of a “documentation reset” to distinguish legal immigrants from those in the country illegally.
“Start with the worst first,” Pearce advocated, highlighting her focus on removing undocumented individuals with criminal records. She rejected the notion that all undocumented individuals must be addressed simultaneously, prioritizing those who pose the greatest risk.
Beyond immigration, Pearce briefly addressed local issues such as the new 10-digit dialing requirement in the Central Valley, a consequence of an additional area code. While some residents view it as a minor inconvenience, Pearce framed it as another example of changes affecting daily life.
Pearce continues to champion policies aimed at restoring safety and order in California. Through legal challenges and legislative reforms, she maintains a clear stance: local leaders must oppose policies that compromise public safety.