[ad_1]
Haven Daley / AP
A federal appeals group upheld California's controversial "State Sanctuary" law, ruling that the measure did not prevent the application of federal immigration laws in that state.
A panel of three judges of the United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a unanimous decision, found that state law, known as SB 54, limited cooperation between the application of the law between the state and local authorities and federal immigration authorities was not contrary to federal law.
The judges said they "had no doubt that the SB 54 was making the task of the federal immigration authorities more difficult." But "California has the right … not to participate in the federal government's efforts."
The decision confirms a decision of a lower court rendered in July 2018.
The Trump administration had sued California in March 2018, arguing that the Constitution gave the federal government absolute authority over immigration issues. The administration had also challenged two other state laws. The first, AB 450, requires employers to alert their employees prior to federal immigration inspections. The other, AB 103, gives the California Attorney General the power to inspect immigration detention centers.
The appeal board upheld both laws, although it blocked a section of the inspection act that gave the state authorities jurisdiction to review the circumstances surrounding the apprehension and transfer of immigrant prisoners.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra welcomed the decision.
"We continue to prove in California that the rule of law is not just about something, but that people can not act outside of it," Becerra said in a statement.
"The people that this law protects the most are the criminal aliens," said ICE in a statement. "To be clear, ICE does not expect or want local law enforcement agencies to participate in immigration law enforcement in the community. but as agents of the law, we expect our partners that they participate in the protection of public safety. "
[ad_2]
Source link