Trump Administration Sues Mayor Karen Bass, L.A. City Council over Sanctuary Policy
Introduction to the Lawsuit
The U.S. Department of Justice sued the city of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass and City Council members Monday, calling L.A.’s sanctuary city law “illegal” and asking that it be blocked from being enforced. The lawsuit, filed by the Trump administration in California’s Central District federal court, said the country is “facing a crisis of illegal immigration” and that its efforts to address it “are hindered by Sanctuary Cities such as the City of Los Angeles, which refuse to cooperate or share information, even when requested, with federal immigration authorities.”
Background to the Sanctuary City Law
Federal prosecutors said in their filing that Trump campaigned and won the 2024 presidential election on a platform of deporting “millions of illegal immigrants.” By enacting a sanctuary city ordinance, the City Council sought to “thwart the will of the American people regarding deportations,” the lawsuit states. This month, immigration agents have descended on Southern California, arresting more than 1,600 immigrants and prompting furious protests in downtown Los Angeles, Paramount and other communities.
Allegations of Lawlessness and Chaos
According to the lawsuit, L.A.’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities since June 6 has resulted in “lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism.” “The situation became so dire that the Federal Government deployed the California National Guard and United States Marines to quell the chaos,” the lawsuit states. “A direct confrontation with federal immigration authorities was the inevitable outcome of the Sanctuary City law.”
Response from the Attorney General
Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi called the city’s sanctuary policies “the driving cause of the violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement that Americans recently witnessed in Los Angeles.” “Jurisdictions like Los Angeles that flout federal law by prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens are undermining law enforcement at every level — it ends under President Trump,” Bondi said in a statement Monday.
Reaction from City Officials
Bass did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In recent weeks, she has pushed back against the Trump administration’s portrayal of L.A. as a city enveloped in violence, saying that immigration agents are the ones sowing chaos, terrorizing families and harming the city’s economy. Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez represents much of Hollywood, where immigration agents recently raided a Home Depot on Sunset Boulevard. Asked about the lawsuit, he said the president is “tearing families apart” as he seeks to “force every city and town to help him carry out his white nationalist agenda.”
Details of the Sanctuary City Ordinance
L.A.’s sanctuary city law was proposed in early 2023, long before Trump’s election, but it was finalized in the wake of his victory in November. Under the ordinance, city employees and city property may not be used to “investigate, cite, arrest, hold, transfer or detain any person” for the purpose of immigration enforcement. An exception is made for law enforcement investigating serious offenses. The ordinance bars city employees from seeking out information about an individual’s citizenship or immigration status unless it is needed to provide a city service.
Legal Allegations
In the lawsuit, federal prosecutors allege that the city’s ordinance violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, by obstructing the federal government’s ability to enforce laws enacted by Congress. They claim the city is treating federal immigration authorities differently from other law enforcement agencies by restricting entry to property, denying access to individual detainees and prohibiting city contractors from providing them information.
Expert Opinions
Chris Newman, legal director for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said he views the federal lawsuit as largely symbolic — and believes its actual purpose is to “blackmail” the city into complying with the Trump administration’s immigration agenda. Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, said he also thinks the lawsuit is at odds with the 10th Amendment — and that the federal government cannot force a city to use its resources for immigration enforcement.
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against the city of Los Angeles over its sanctuary policy is a significant development in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement. The city’s ordinance, which restricts cooperation with federal immigration authorities, has been criticized by the administration as “illegal” and an obstacle to enforcing federal law. The outcome of this lawsuit will have important implications for the relationship between local governments and the federal government on immigration issues.
FAQs
- Q: What is the basis of the lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against the city of Los Angeles?
A: The lawsuit alleges that the city’s sanctuary city law is “illegal” and obstructs the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration laws. - Q: What does the sanctuary city ordinance in Los Angeles do?
A: The ordinance prohibits city employees and property from being used for immigration enforcement, with exceptions for investigating serious offenses, and restricts the sharing of information about individuals’ immigration status. - Q: How have city officials responded to the lawsuit?
A: City officials, including Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, have pushed back against the Trump administration’s portrayal of L.A. as a city in chaos due to its sanctuary policies, arguing that the policies are necessary to protect residents and that the administration’s actions are harmful and divisive. - Q: What are the potential implications of this lawsuit?
A: The outcome could set a precedent for the relationship between local governments and the federal government on immigration issues, potentially affecting how cities across the U.S. interact with federal immigration authorities.
