The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, its Mayor Karen Bass, and City Council members. The lawsuit, initiated by the Trump administration, claims that the city’s sanctuary city law is illegal and seeks to prevent its enforcement. This legal action was taken in California’s Central District federal court on Monday.
The lawsuit argues that Los Angeles is contributing to a “crisis of illegal immigration” by not cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It alleges that the city’s policies hinder federal efforts to address immigration issues. The filing also suggests that the sanctuary city ordinance undermines the will of the American people regarding deportations.
In recent weeks, Southern California has seen a surge in immigration arrests, with over 1,600 individuals detained. This has triggered widespread protests in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. The lawsuit claims that the city’s refusal to collaborate with federal agents has led to increased unrest, including incidents of lawlessness and violence. Federal officials even deployed the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to manage the situation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the city’s sanctuary policies are responsible for the chaos and violence observed recently. However, Mayor Bass has pushed back against this narrative. She argues that the federal immigration raids are the source of fear and disruption in the community, not the sanctuary policies. Bass has called the federal portrayal of Los Angeles as a city in turmoil an outright lie.
The sanctuary city law, passed by the Los Angeles City Council in early 2023, restricts city employees from using city resources for immigration enforcement. It also protects individuals from being detained based solely on their immigration status, except in serious criminal investigations. The law aims to ensure that city services remain accessible to all residents, regardless of their immigration status.
In the lawsuit, federal prosecutors argue that the sanctuary ordinance violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution by obstructing the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration laws. They claim the city treats federal immigration authorities differently from other law enforcement agencies, which is not permissible.
The legal battle comes as Los Angeles officials are considering their own lawsuit against the Trump administration to protect residents from what they describe as unconstitutional actions by immigration agents. The City Council is scheduled to meet soon to discuss taking immediate legal action to safeguard the rights of its constituents.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights the ongoing tension between local governments and federal immigration policies, with Los Angeles at the center of the debate.