SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Aug. 14 his office has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for an allegedly unconstitutional attempt to force California law enforcement officials to engage in federal immigration enforcement.
The U.S. Department of Justice allegedly placed unlawful conditions on certain public safety grants. California receives more than $28 million in federal funds to support law enforcement, recidivism prevention, crime victims and witnesses and at-risk youth. Becerra said these programs are all at risk because of the Trump administration’s grant conditions.
“The Trump administration cannot manipulate federal grant fund requirements to pressure states, counties or municipalities to enforce federal immigration laws,” Becerra said. “By placing unconstitutional immigration enforcement conditions on public safety grants, the Trump administration is threatening to harm a range of law enforcement initiatives across California.
"This is pure intimidation intended to force our law enforcement into changing the policies and practices that they have determined promote public safety. It’s a low blow to our brave men and women who wear the badge, and to the communities they serve. We will fight these unlawful federal actions that would make California less safe.”