Trump allies warn California leaders they could go to prison over sanctuary city laws

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With the Trump administration taking charge in January, state and local governments have been preparing for changes in immigration policy.  The new administration will seek to enlist state and local governments to assist in immigration enforcement.  Some sanctuary jurisdictions have announced that there will be no assistance from them.  As Jeanne Kuang for Cal Matters reports, 

“[a]fter San Diego County took steps earlier this month to strengthen safeguards for undocumented residents, an organization led by President-elect Donald Trump’s adviser Stephen Miller sent a letter warning that elected leaders and employees of `sanctuary’ jurisdictions could be `criminally liable’ if they impede federal immigration enforcement.

In the Dec. 23 letter, America First Legal Foundation wrote: `We have identified San Diego County as a sanctuary jurisdiction that is violating federal law.’

The conservative legal nonprofit that day announced that it had identified 249 elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions who it said could face `legal consequences’ over immigration policies. The California Attorney General’s office and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were sent similar letters.

The letter also suggests sanctuary city officials could be civilly liable under federal anti-racketeering laws.”

The America First Legal Foundation provides an explanation for the letters and a variety of resources here.

KJ