Department of Justice, California face off over sanctuary laws

SACRAMENTO — The federal government will face off with California officials in court Wednesday over the state’s controversial sanctuary laws.

Attorneys with the Department of Justice will ask U.S. District Judge John Mendez to grant a preliminary injunction temporarily freezing California’s three new immigration laws, alleging they’re an unconstitutional abuse of power. Meanwhile, the state Attorney General’s office will ask Mendez — a George W. Bush appointee — to dismiss the case.

The White House sued California in March claiming its laws interfere with the federal government’s power to enforce immigration law. The state argues it can’t be forced to act out immigration law and has vowed to protect its nearly three million undocumented immigrants.

The hearing, though unlikely to result in a same-day decision, marks the first time both parties will go before a judge in the case. More than 200 demonstrators rallied in Sacramento Wednesday ahead of the hearing. Immigration activists and lawyers greatly outnumbered sanctuary opponents. Demonstrators on either side of the dispute stood inches apart exchanging words in front of the courthouse, at times pushing each other lightly.

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https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/20/department-of-justice-california-face-off-over-sanctuary-laws/