The Trump administration has initiated a legal battle against the city of Los Angeles over its immigration policies. The Justice Department announced on Monday that sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, are in conflict with federal law.
This lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the ongoing feud between the Trump administration and California regarding immigration issues. The Department of Justice has been actively challenging sanctuary-city laws across various states.
Escalation of Conflict
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated in a press release, “Sanctuary policies were the driving cause of the violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement witnessed in Los Angeles recently. Jurisdictions like Los Angeles, which prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens, are undermining law enforcement at every level, and this will end under President Trump.”
The lawsuit names the city, Mayor Karen Bass, and the City Council as defendants. It comes on the heels of protests in Los Angeles following immigration raids on farms and businesses. Concurrently, the Trump administration is entangled in separate legal disputes with Governor Gavin Newsom over the deployment of the National Guard in response to the unrest.
Legal Arguments
The lawsuit contends that the city’s “refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities” has resulted in lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism. Los Angeles had imposed a curfew in response to the protests, which was later lifted as the demonstrations subsided.
Furthermore, the filing asserts that the city’s policies interfere with federal immigration enforcement and violate the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution. This argument aligns with the administration’s stance against sanctuary-city laws.
Legal Proceedings and Responses
The lawsuit has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Fernando Olguin, an appointee of the Obama administration. The Department of Justice has previously sued other states and cities, including New York, Illinois, Chicago, and cities in New Jersey, over similar issues.
Los Angeles has a history of implementing sanctuary policies, with recent legislation prohibiting the use of city resources for federal immigration enforcement. City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez criticized Trump’s opposition to sanctuary policies, accusing him of pursuing a “white nationalist agenda.”
Soto-Martinez affirmed the city’s commitment to protecting immigrant families, stating, “We refuse to stand by and let Donald Trump deport innocent families. We will do everything within our power to keep families together.”
Mayor Karen Bass’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
