Federal judge upholds California's sanctuary laws

ASIAN IMMIGRANT WOMEN ADVOCATES

Some of the largest protests against Donald Trump's immigration policies have taken place in California.

I CAN ALMOST HEAR Attorney General Jeff Sessions cursing in his southern drawl after a federal judge ruled in favor of the bulk of California's sanctuary laws aimed at countering Donald Trump's crackdown against undocumented immigrants.

US District Judge John Mendez rejected today (June 5) the Department of Justice's attempt to overrule a California law that limits immigration-related information state and local law enforcement can share with federal officials and how much those agencies can assist Immigration and Custom Enforcement efforts.

The Sacramento-based judge also declined the DOJ's request to block another law guaranteeing California officials certain information about local and privately run jails that hold immigration detainees.

Mendez also partially upheld the third law, AB 450, which regulates interactions between private employers and federal authorities. He ruled that the state could require employers to notify employees about upcoming workplace inspections, but he sided with the Feds in rejecting the part of the law that barred employers from voluntarily cooperating with immigration officials and from reverifying the legal work status of employees.

"The Constitution gives the people of California, not the Trump Administration, the power to decide how we will provide for our public safety and general welfare. California’s laws work in concert—not conflict—with federal law," said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in a statement. He called Mendez's opinion "a strong ruling against federal overreach."

The California case was the DOJ's most direct challenge to date against California that has opposed the aggressive ICE actions against undocumented immigrants. The state is home to t he most undocumented immigrants in the country.

Mendez added that making law through the courts is not an effective way to create legislation. He urged Congress to get over their partisanship and develop new immigration laws.  “Our Nation deserves it,” he wrote. “Our Constitution demands it.”

Gov. Jerry Brown stated, “I agree with Judge Mendez that piecemeal judicial decisions won’t solve the nation’s immigration challenges. Only Congress can chart the path forward by rising above mindless, partisan divisions and working together to solve this problem, not exacerbate it.”

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