WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Justice is suing the state of California over its policies limiting the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration responsibilities, escalating the battle over so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions by challenging three state laws related to immigration enforcement.
The move has implications for local businesses and law enforcement, impacting their ability to do their jobs by placing them in the middle of an increasingly political legal battle. The confusion caused by a sweeping definition of “sanctuary” jurisdictions disrupts the cooperation and trust needed to build safe, cohesive communities.
“The increasingly antagonistic relationship between state and federal law enforcement puts local police and business owners in California between a rock and a hard place,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “Local businesses want to grow and strengthen their operations. Local law enforcement want to keep communities safe. Leaders are distracted from these goals when they are faced with contradictory mandates from federal and state authorities.
“We need constitutionally appropriate cooperation, not coercion, between federal, state and local authorities in order to keep our cities and towns safe. California, not to mention America, needs cooler heads to prevail.”
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