Governor Gavin Newsom’s office responded on Tuesday to a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which demanded that jurisdictions with “sanctuary” laws outline steps to end policies the DOJ claims hinder federal immigration enforcement. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, an attorney from Newsom’s office highlighted that California’s sanctuary law had previously been upheld by a court, affirming the state’s right to refrain from assisting federal immigration efforts.
David Sapp, the legal affairs secretary for Newsom’s office, emphasized that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found California’s law does not conflict with federal statutes. Sapp warned that any DOJ attorney in California threatening or initiating criminal prosecution against state officials for upholding the law could face ethics complaints with the California State Bar. He requested Bondi to confirm by Tuesday (August 26) that her staff has been advised against prosecuting state or local officials for complying with California law.
The Trump administration had previously sued California over similar issues but lost. Bondi’s recent letter also targeted other states and cities, including Los Angeles, demanding they align with federal immigration laws. However, officials like L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto defended their policies, citing the Ninth Circuit’s ruling that limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement are legal.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other city officials across the U.S. have also pushed back against Bondi’s threats, labeling them as unconstitutional. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson similarly vowed not to be intimidated by Bondi’s threats, asserting that state laws like the Keep Washington Working Act are within legal bounds and protect immigrant communities.
The DOJ’s list of jurisdictions with sanctuary policies includes California, San Diego County, San Francisco County, and the cities of Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. As the deadline for responses approaches, the tension between federal and state authorities over immigration enforcement continues to escalate.
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