San Diego County Lawmakers Consider Joining Sanctuary State Lawsuit

San Diego County lawmakers consider joining sanctuary state lawsuit

San Diego County lawmakers are thinking about jumping into the fight against California's Sanctuary State laws and joining Orange County in their lawsuit against state laws protecting illegal immigrants. 

On Tuesday, the county's Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 to join the lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against California over its so-called "Sanctuary State" policies. In a statement following Tuesday's vote, Supervisor Michelle Steel said it was important for the count to follow federal laws. 

“We cannot let the state begin cherry-picking which federal laws it decides to follow,” Supervisor Michelle Steel said. 

However, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said he wouldn't rule out taking action against officials who are fighting the 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. 

When asked whether that meant he would arrest or file a lawsuit against the sheriff, Becerra responded simply, "I think I just answered that." 

Orange County has also moved to try and bypass the state's new sanctuary law by publishing the release dates of inmates currently in jail online. The database includes all inmates' data, and not just those who are in the country illegally. 

At issue is SB 54, or the California Values Act, which limits how local law enforcement can assist federal immigration agents with illegal immigrants who are in custody. It was passed back in November by both houses of the state's legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. 

San Diego County supervisors say they'll take up the issue at a closed door county council meeting next month. 

Photo: Getty Images


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