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The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass, and the City Council over the city's sanctuary city policy. The policy, enacted following President Donald Trump's 2024 election victory, restricts city resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement. The Justice Department claims that these laws interfere with federal immigration law enforcement and violate the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, which prevents local governments from obstructing federal law enforcement efforts.
According to the lawsuit, Los Angeles' refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities has led to increased lawlessness, including rioting and vandalism. The federal government responded by deploying the California National Guard and United States Marines to restore order. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, "Sanctuary policies were the driving cause of the violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement that Americans recently witnessed in Los Angeles."
The lawsuit seeks to have Los Angeles' policies declared invalid, arguing that they prevent local officials from assisting federal agents and sharing information necessary for enforcing federal immigration laws. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized that the city's ordinance contributes to a "lawless and unsafe environment."
Los Angeles' sanctuary policies generally prohibit local resources, including police officers, from participating in federal immigration enforcement, except in cases involving serious or violent crimes. The lawsuit is part of President Trump's broader effort to challenge sanctuary cities across the United States, a stance he has frequently highlighted, even threatening to withhold federal funding from such cities.