Another Southern California city might join the resistance to California's 'Sanctuary State' laws. The L.A. Times reports the Newport Beach's city council will formally consider joining the effort to oppose the state's sanctuary law with a resolution on Tuesday. Cities including, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, and Yorba Linda have all taken stands against the sanctuary laws.
The council's Tuesday agenda includes a resolution that takes aim at SB 54, the so-called 'Sanctuary State' law that was passed by California's legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last October. Proponents of the bill say it would help keep communities safe by allowing illegal immigrants to come forward and report crimes without the fear of deportation.
"This bill states that local authorities will not ask about immigration status during routine interactions,'' Brown said in a message explaining his decision to sign Senate Bill 54. "It also bans unconstitutional detainer requests and prohibits the commandeering of local officials to do the work of immigration agents.''
Los Alamitos was one of the first cities in Southern California to pass an ordinance 'opting-out' of the Sanctuary State law that limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Huntington Beach's City Council also approved a lawsuit against California, challenging the authority of SB 54.
In March, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit challenging the state's sanctuary laws, saying they conflict with existing federal law, and violate the Constitution's supremacy clause, which says federal law takes precedence over state laws.
"Immigration law is the province of the federal government, it's in the Constitution. This administration and this Justice Department are determined to make it work effectively for all our people," Sessions said at a state law convention where he announced the lawsuit filed against California.
The resolution proposed by Newport Beach's city council says the city "respects and supports the United States Constitution."
This isn't the first time Newport Beach has opposed the sanctuary laws. The council also voted last August to have the city manager send a letter against the bill while it was still being debated in the legislature.