Huntington Beach has sued the State of California for its protection of illegal immigrants and sanctuary policies.
The city is working with America First Legal (AFL) on the matter.
“California’s Sanctuary State Law not only limits the ability of City officials, including Huntington Beach Police personnel, to engage fully in effective law enforcement practices, but it directs City officials, including Huntington Beach Police personnel, to violate U.S. Federal law,” the lawsuit reads, adding that the sanctuary policy “commands City officials, including Huntington Beach Police personnel, to turn a blind eye to the smuggling of aliens, many of whom end up becoming victims of human trafficking.”
“To put a fine point, as a Charter City, Huntington Beach’s Police Department does not belong to the State. Rather, the Huntington Beach Police Department belongs to the City – and as such, the Police Department should be free from State interference and control, the filing says. “The City and its Police Department should be, therefore, entirely at liberty to employ every lawful means to combat crime and promote public safety for the City’s 200,000 residents.”
AFL Senior Counsel James Rogers said of the lawsuit: “Federal law is clear: it is a crime to conceal, harbor, or shield illegal aliens, and it is a crime to prevent federal officials from discharging their duties. It is also against federal law to prevent local officials from communicating with DHS about the immigration status of individuals. Our nation’s immigration laws reflect the democratic will of the people, and it is disgraceful that the State of California is actively trying to subvert it while at the same time facilitating the invasion of our country.”
“It is outrageous that the City of Huntington Beach has to seek a court order allowing it to comply with federal law and so that it can be allowed to cooperate with legitimate federal law enforcement efforts,” he said. “America First Legal is proud to represent the City of Huntington Beach in its stand for sanity and the rule of law. AFL will fight vigorously to push back California’s subversion of federal law.”
The city filed a similar lawsuit in January.
Huntington Beach voted earlier this year to declare itself a “non-sanctuary city” to push back against the state. “We need every law enforcement effort, whenever called upon—whether it be fighting terrorists or purse snatchers—to best serve our citizens,” Mayor Pat Burns said at the time.
