The Department of Justice announced Monday that it is filing a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles over its sanctuary city policies, which it claims are unlawful. The move comes in the wake of several days of violence and riots targeting federal immigration agents, prompting the deployment of the military.
“The challenged law and policies of the City of Los Angeles obstruct the Federal Government’s enforcement of federal immigration law and impede consultation and communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for federal officials to carry out federal immigration law and keep Americans safe,” the DOJ wrote in its suit.
The lawsuit follows a wave of riots in Los Angeles sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which ultimately led the Trump administration to deploy both the National Guard and U.S. Marines to restore order.
“The Supremacy Clause prohibits the City of Los Angeles and its officials from singling out the Federal Government for adverse treatment—as the challenged law and policies do—thereby discriminating against the Federal Government,” the DOJ argued. “Accordingly, the law and policies challenged here are invalid and should be enjoined.”
Protesters confronted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents during a series of coordinated raids across Los Angeles earlier this month, as local officials appeared largely supportive of the undocumented immigrants targeted in the operations.
The raids took place at multiple locations, including two Home Depot stores and the headquarters of Ambient Apparel in the city’s fashion district. The enforcement actions spanned areas from downtown Los Angeles to Westlake, Cypress Park, and Skid Row.
As the raids began, Mayor Karen Bass (D-LA) spoke out, condemning the federal agents for enforcing federal immigration laws and issuing a shocking statement via X: “This morning, we received reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in multiple locations in Los Angeles. As mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place.”
“These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,” she continued. “My office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations. We will not stand for this,” she added.