Feds argue obstruction: Gov. Brown calls it a ?political stunt? The Trump administration announced yesterday afternoon that it will target three California laws it argues interfere with federal immigration enforcement, filing a lawsuit in federal court against state officials. The Justice Department says the laws, ?reflect a deliberate effort by California to obstruct the United States? enforcement of federal immigration law.?
The move is the latest, and most serious, effort the Justice Department has taken against so-called ?sanctuary city? or ?sanctuary state? laws. It?s an escalation of the battle over federal and local immigration enforcement, one of the first issues the Trump administration addressed after the president took office last year. The suit names the state of California, including the state?s governor, Jerry Brown, and attorney general Xavier Becerra. Governor Brown called the move a ?political stunt? meant to ?further divide and polarize America.?
Like heads of other sanctuary city jurisdictions, the California leaders being sued by the Justice Department believe the federal government can?t compel state and local police to enforce federal law, and that openness over immigration status encourages the undocumented to work with police and report other crimes, creating a safer environment.
None of the California policies in question prevent a police department from pursuing or arresting an undocumented immigrant who commits a crime.

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