Sheriff Gary Redman guided his gray Ford Expedition down Highway 49, past the oak-studded foothills and 19th century barns of Northern California’s Gold Country. 

“I love this place,” he said. “I’d do anything to protect my county. If I have to break state law to do it, that’s what I’ll do.” 

Even if that means taking a surprising stand in a state known for protecting its immigrants. In a 274-word announcement posted last month to the Amador County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Redman pledged to break California’s sanctuary law by informing Immigration and Customs Enforcement of any undocumented immigrants in his jail whom he deems “a serious threat.” 

Never mind that Redman serves an oft-overlooked county about 130 miles northeast of San Francisco where less than 6% of the roughly 40,000 residents are foreign-born. Though President Donald Trump’s return to office in late January emboldened his supporters to challenge California’s pro-immigration laws that some view as anti-public safety, Redman remains the only sheriff in the state who has pledged to defy state sanctuary law, which largely forbids police from participating in immigration issues.