GOP Rep. Issues Rare Criticism Of Trump Admin's Immigration Raids, Urges Deportation Of 'Known Criminals' Over 'Hardworking People'

A Republican lawmaker issued rare criticism of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement raids in California, calling it to "prioritize the removal of known criminals."

David Valadao, from California's 22nd Congressional District, said on Tuesday he remains "concerned about ongoing ICE operations throughout CA and will continue" conversations "with the administration —urging them to prioritize the removal of known criminals over the hardworking people who have lived peacefully in the Valley for years."

The lawmaker did say in a previous post that he supports "the First Amendment right to peacefully protest," but condemned violence taking place in the city. He called scenes "unacceptable" and said he stands with "our law enforcement officers working to protect people and regain control over the situation."

Valadao also posted a link to a Fox News article noting that California Republicans are introducing a resolution condemning violence in the city. The document also "calls on local and state elected leadership to work with the federal government to end the violent riots and restore peace."

Valadao is among the most vulnerable Republicans in the Lower House, not only due to potential backlash from those opposed to the raids. Valadao also supported a recent bill aimed to address critical labor shortages in the U.S. agricultural sector through a combination of legalization for undocumented farmworkers and reforms to the H-2A guestworker visa program.

The bill, led by Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), comes amid warnings from growers that labor shortages could lead to rising food prices, disrupted supply chains, and long-term harm to domestic agriculture.

Valadao said that "the current H-2A program doesn't meet the labor needs of many producers. But the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a positive step... Food security is national security."

Moreover, Valadao could face criticism from voters as a result of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" tax cut and spending bill, especially due to potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Although Valadao won his sixth non-consecutive term in November by 7 percentage points, he represents the higher portion of Medicaid enrollees of all House lawmakers.

In a recent letter to House GOP leaders, Valadao and other Hispanic lawmakers argued that Medicaid cuts "would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities where hospitals and nursing homes are already struggling to keep their doors open."