More California Cities Seek to Defy ‘Sanctuary State’ as Revolt Spreads
by JOEL B. POLLAK
21 Mar 2018
1,416 comments
More California cities may consider defying the state’s “sanctuary state” laws, after the city council of Los Alamitos passed an ordinance defying the state’s controversial new legislation preventing cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Leaders of Los Alamitos, in Orange County, passed the ordinance 4-1 and instructed the city attorney to file an amicus brief in the ongoing Department of Justice lawsuit against the State of California. The lawsuit challenges the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (HB 450), the Inspection and Review of Facilities Housing Federal Detainees law (AB 103); and the California Values Act (SB 54).
The Orange County Register reports that other cities — and even Orange County itself — are now thinking of following suit (original links):
The County of Orange and several cities in Southern California soon might join Los Alamitos in its bid to opt out of a controversial state law that limits cooperation with federal immigration officials.
Officials with the county as well as leaders in Aliso Viejo and Buena Park said Tuesday they plan to push for various versions of the anti-sanctuary ordinance approved in Los Alamitos late Monday by a 4-1 vote of that city council.
Immigration advocates said Los Alamitos and cities and counties that follow its opt-out ordinance will be violating state law and at risk of litigation.
But Los Alamitos’ anti-sanctuary push also received wide attention in conservative media, and gained support from those who don’t agree with California’s protective stance on all immigrants, regardless of legal status.
Orange County is a key battleground in 2018, both at the state and federal levels. Democrats are hoping to pick up several U.S. House seats in the county, which voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 — the first time in decades that the traditionally conservative county had backed a Democrat.
But Republicans are backing a recall of State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) for voting to raise the gas tax. A ballot initiative to repeal the gas tax hike could also bring Republicans out to vote. And the immigration issue is likely to fuel turnout even more.
Proponents of the Los Alamitos legislation argued that the state was forcing local officials to defy their oath to the Constitution, and that the new ordinance was faithful to the rule of law.
http://www.breitbart.com/california/...evolt-spreads/
More California cities looking to reject state's sanctuary law
9 hrs ago
By Lukas Mikelionis | Fox News
More towns and cities in California are exploring options to follow Los Alamitos in rejecting the state’s sanctuary law.
Members of the Los Alamitos Council voted Monday to opt out of a state law that limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration agents.
"Tiny Los Alamitos has kicked open the door," state Assemblyman Travis Allen told the Orange County Register, "and now other cities across California are looking to get on board and stand up against the illegal sanctuary state.”
The law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last year and in effect since Jan. 1, includes prohibiting state and local police agencies from informing federal authorities in cases when illegal immigrants facing deportation are released from detention.
Los Alamitos’ adopted ordinance claims the new state law “may be in direct conflict with federal laws and the Constitution.”
The council, therefore, said it “finds that it is impossible to honor our oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” if it does not opt out.
The council’s move inspired officials in Orange County and the cities of Aliso Viejo and Buena Park to consider adopting similar measures against California’s sanctuary law.
Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel said in a statement Tuesday that she plans to present a similar ordinance to the Board of Supervisors.
"I thank the City of Los Alamitos for standing up for its citizens and rejecting the so-called ‘sanctuary' legislation passed in Sacramento, and I urge the County of Orange and all of our cities to do the same," Steel said in the release.
Aliso Viejo Mayor Dave Harrington said his council will discuss similar action next month.
“It is a great thing what they did,” Harrington told the Orange County Register. “I think they were spot-on, that we take the oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States.”
Buena Park Councilwoman Beth Swift said she will follow the lead as well and will request a discussion on the measure at the next council meeting.
Huntington Beach had been considering opting out of the state’s sanctuary law even before Los Alamitos' decision, Assemblyman Allen told the publication.
The attempts to rebel against California’s sanctuary law will no doubt pit state and local lawmakers against each other.
California’s Senate leader, Kevin de León, who authored the controversial sanctuary law and is aiming for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat, said the law doesn’t violate the Constitution and those councils opting out of it are risking to be sued.
The Los Alamitos Council’s “symbolic vote in favor of President Trump’s racist immigration enforcement policies is disappointing,” de León told the Ventura County Star.
“Local governments that attempt to break state law will saddle their residents with unnecessary and expensive litigation costs.”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018...tuary-law.html
