Home California Attorney General Becerra Says Trump’s Threat to Defund “Sanctuary Jurisdictions” Jeopardizes Safety of California Communities

Attorney General Becerra Says Trump’s Threat to Defund “Sanctuary Jurisdictions” Jeopardizes Safety of California Communities

by ECT

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Wednesday led nine states and Washington, DC in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, in support of the City and County of San Francisco, the County of Santa Clara, and the City of Richmond in their challenge to the Trump Administration’s executive order targeting “sanctuary jurisdictions.” The executive order seeks to pressure local jurisdictions into enforcing federal immigration law.

“The Trump Administration does not have the right to coerce states, counties or municipalities to do the federal government’s job,” said Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “California’s state and local law enforcement officials are in the business of public safety, not of deportation. Threatening public safety funding to compel localities to do immigration work is a dangerous game that undermines public safety.”

Earlier this year, the district court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, prohibiting the Trump Administration from enforcing executive order provisions that threaten to broadly strip federal funds from states and localities the Trump Administration designates as “sanctuary jurisdictions.” The Trump Administration is now asking the court to dismiss the lawsuit, even though the executive order provisions remain unchanged.

In addition to highlighting the flaws in the federal government’s motion, the brief highlights the public safety benefits arising from policies that focus local law enforcement agencies on crime prevention rather than enforcement of federal immigration law. Attorney General Becerra was joined by the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington in filing the brief.

In March, Attorney General Becerra filed an amicus brief on behalf of the State of California in support of the jurisdiction’s request for a preliminary injunction. The court issued its preliminary injunction on April 25. In issuing the injunction, the Court raised concerns about the constitutionality of President Trump’s attempt use “coercive methods” to compel jurisdictions into adopting the Trump Administration’s preferred immigration enforcement practices.

Attorney General Becerra, in collaboration with the Attorneys General of New York, the District of Columbia, Rhode Island, Oregon, and Washington, released a report last month that refutes the Trump Administration’s claims on so-called “sanctuary” policies. The “Setting the Record Straight on Local Involvement in Federal Civil Immigration Enforcement: The Facts and The Laws” report outlines how the experience of many local law enforcement agencies has led them to conclude that public safety is better served by focusing their time and resources on combatting dangerous criminals rather than on immigration enforcement.

A copy of the filings is attached to the electronic version of this release at www.oag.ca.gov/news.

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10 comments

The_Dude Jun 29, 2017 - 7:06 am

Wish ect would stop with the fake news

Common Cents Jun 29, 2017 - 9:02 am

Becerra is once again out of bounds. This idiot is on a fast track to get bounced out of office.

Trump has been elected as OUR President, we get it, you don’t like him. However he out ranks you and your continued hissy fits make you and our State look childish. California is part of the United States and as such must follow Federal Law or deal with the consequences. Get over it Becerra.

Julio Jun 29, 2017 - 10:06 am

This is a country of laws. Obey the laws or get out.

Lola Saavedra Jul 4, 2017 - 9:33 pm

Julio is right-on-the-money!

Melanie Jun 29, 2017 - 10:19 am

I agree with Julio.

Only the law can break the law Jun 29, 2017 - 12:23 pm

This is just one instance of how our state throws money away that could be used for the american people that truly need it. Too many politicians, too much time on their hands, and way too much waste. Sanctuary anything is fine with private money but not my tax money.We need better roads not places for illegal criminals to have a safe harbor to create more crime.This is moronic at best. I hope the Feds hold back all funds to lawbreaking cities, counties, and states. I do not want my taxes spent to defend illegals. It should be a crime to use public funds to defy the laws of the land. No wonder we are wasting money on tunnels to divert water instead of building reservoirs. Trains that go to nowhere and will never benefit the investment. California is not working for it’s legal voters. Remember that at the voting booth people.

Shot across the bow Jun 29, 2017 - 11:42 pm

…And speaking of LAWS the FED’s and Becerra…

Looks Like the AG (Becerra) took a major hit today with one of his sideways interpretations of our RIGHTS. Specifically the 2nd Amendment.

“Today, attorneys for the California Rifle & Pistol Association, supported by the National Rifle Association, obtained an important injunction in the case of Duncan v. Becerra, a federal lawsuit challenging California’s restrictions against standard capacity magazines. The injunction prevents California from enforcing the recently enacted ban against the mere possession of magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds, while the case is pending. The ban was set to take effect on July 1—less than 2 days from today.

In granting the injunction, Judge Benitez explained that Plaintiffs are likely to succeed in this lawsuit because “public safety interest may not eviscerate the Second Amendment.”

Filed in May of this year, Duncan is the second in a series of carefully planned lawsuits challenging the package of gun control laws passed last year that have collectively become known as “gunmageddon” in addition to the anti-gun Proposition 63. The case challenges California’s restrictions on standard capacity magazines on the grounds that it violates the Second Amendment, due process clause, and takings clause of the United States Constitution.

As a result of the injunction, California gun owners will not be required to surrender or permanently alter their lawfully owned property by July 1. Instead, the injunction preserves the “status quo” while the constitutionality of the law is decided by the court.”

Old Pittsburg/Antioch Hwy Border Jun 30, 2017 - 9:27 am

Attorney General Xavier Becerra with his Democrat Party does not want to do the hard work of changing the Federal Immigration Law. Yes, that is correct, the State Senators are able to amend the Law. However, they do not want to at this time because acting would be toxic to there reelection. We see clearly now that obstructing the Law under “sanctuary jurisdictions.” is still working to their benefit. President Trump and almost the majority of Americans see right thru this ruse.

confused Jun 30, 2017 - 12:32 pm

I don’t see anyone siding with the AG but, we keep voting in politicians that are out of touch with what the American people want. Why is this?

Lola Saavedra Jul 3, 2017 - 1:39 pm

This whole “sanctuary city” crap is just that, crap! The feds can waltz right in and pick up anyone they wish without any “cooperation” from the local PD’s. Our stupid politicians like this idiot Becerra are just to dense to realize that.

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