Another California county is joining the resistance to the resistance.
A San Francisco Bay Area county sheriff's office has taken its cue from Orange County and begun publishing inmates' release dates in what critics say is an attempt to circumvent California's so-called sanctuary state laws.
People who visit to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office can now generate daily 'release reports' which list the name and release date for each inmate currently in custody. The state limited how local law enforcement could assist federal immigration authorities as part of an effort to protect illegal immigrants.
The law does make exceptions for publicly released data. The new release data program was initiated in response to requests from organizations who assist inmates re-entering society Contra Costa Sheriff Matt Schuler said.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against California last month in an effort to block SB 54 and two other laws they say interfere with the federal government's mandate to handle issues relating to immigration.
Other cities and counties have also raised objections to the laws, citing concerns over safety. Orange County voted 3-0 to join the Justice Department's lawsuit, and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors say they're considering a similar move. One city, Los Alamitos even voted to opt-out entirely of the state's sanctuary laws.
State Attorney General Xavier Becerra says he hasn't ruled out taking action against officials who are fighting state laws.
"State law is state law. It’s my job to enforce state law and I will do so. We want to make sure that every jurisdiction, including Orange County, understands what state law requires of the people and the subdivisions of the state of California," Becerra said at a news conference.
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