Thread: California’s ‘sanctuary state’ law could be blocked by voters

BY ALEXEI KOSEFF
OCTOBER 30, 2017 4:16 PM

Opponents of California’s recently approved “sanctuary state” measure have launched an effort to overturn the law.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced Monday that a referendum on Senate Bill 54, the controversial law limiting state and local police agencies’ ability to work with federal immigration authorities, has been cleared to gather signatures.

Introduced by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León in late 2016, shortly after the election of President Donald Trump, SB 54 aims to prevent California police resources from being “commandeered” by the Trump administration as it ramps up deportations.

Ben Bergquam, a spokesman for the referendum campaign, said those efforts to “undermine” the federal government amount to “sedition.”

“It’s lawless. It’s politicians protecting criminal illegals at the expense of law-abiding citizens,” he said. “It’s a slap in the face to American sovereignty and the citizens of our country.”

Proponents have until Jan. 3, 2018, to collect signatures from at least 365,880 registered voters. If they are successful, the referendum will appear on the November 2018 ballot, where voters will be asked whether or not to uphold SB 54. Bergquam said the campaign has no major funders yet, but it is reaching out to law enforcement groups that oppose the law.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 54 earlier this month, capping months of intense negotiations and lobbying by immigrant rights’ advocates and law enforcement organizations. It is set to take effect at the start of 2018, though it would be placed on hold pending the outcome of the vote if the referendum qualifies for the ballot.

Supporters argue that “sanctuary” policies allow law enforcement officers to maintain crucial relationships with immigrant communities, while critics, including the California State Sheriffs’ Association and conservative lawmakers, contend that SB 54 endangers the public by protecting criminals.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-...181783821.html

GO CALIFORNIA VOTERS!!

The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution (Article VI, Clause 2) establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute the supreme law of the land.^[1]

It provides that state courts are bound by the supreme law; in case of conflict between federal and state law, the federal law must be applied. Even state constitutions are subordinate to federal law.^[2]

In essence, it is a conflict-of-laws rule specifying that certain national acts take priority over any state acts that conflict with national law.

In this respect, the Supremacy Clause follows the lead of Article XIII of the Articles of Confederation, which provided that "Every State shall abide by the determination of the United States in Congress Assembled, on all questions which by this confederation are submitted to them."^[3]

A constitutional provision announcing the supremacy of federal law, the Supremacy Clause assumes the underlying priority of federal authority, at least when that authority is expressed in the Constitution itself.^[4]

No matter what the federal government or the states might wish to do, they have to stay within the boundaries of the Constitution. This makes the Supremacy Clause the cornerstone of the whole American political structure.<sup>[5][6]

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.</sup>

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supremacy_Clause