Three nonprofit organizations are stepping forward to represent the voices of Los Angeles in a significant federal lawsuit challenging Trump administration policies that threaten to cut funding to jurisdictions that do not permit local law enforcement to engage in immigration enforcement work.
Many cities, counties, and states, including Los Angeles, have enacted laws that limit or outright ban local police from collaborating with federal immigration authorities on arrests and deportations.
While Los Angeles is notably absent from a lawsuit spearheaded by San Francisco, which was filed in February by over a dozen jurisdictions with similar sanctuary laws, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, and Central American Resource Center are seeking to intervene on behalf of the city’s residents.
Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney with Public Counsel—representing the nonprofits—emphasized the gravity of the situation. “Every major sanctuary community, as far as we can tell, is part of the lawsuit, with the exception of Los Angeles. We are filling that gap,” he stated.
Alvaro Huerta, director of litigation and advocacy at the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, voiced concern over the fear and anxiety plaguing many Los Angeles residents. “Laws that limit local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement help create safer communities,” he said.
When immigrants live in fear of deportation, they often hesitate to report crimes they’ve suffered, Huerta noted.
“We have a lot of our clients who are scared right now,” he added. “They’re feeling threatened even in a city as welcoming as Los Angeles.”
He expressed disbelief that the city itself has not joined the lawsuit, which includes other California cities like Emeryville, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, and Santa Cruz.
The presence of immigration officials at local elementary schools exacerbates these fears, making it difficult for families to manage typical activities like sending their children to school or leaving home.
The Department of Justice has not commented on the proposed intervention from the nonprofits, leaving questions about the federal stance on this matter.
California has long had laws that restrict local police interactions with federal immigration officials. In November, the Los Angeles City Council voted to further solidify its stance as a sanctuary city, enhancing protections beyond state laws.
The local governments involved in the lawsuit contend that their policies do not obstruct federal immigration enforcement and that the federal government should not compel them to repurpose their resources for such enforcement activities.
Rosenbaum elaborated, “The basic theory of the case is that the federal government is outside its lane. It has no business seeking to compel communities that are just being communities. That’s what cities do. That’s what counties do. They make decisions as to how they want to use their resources and policies that serve their population.”
Judge William Orrick, nominated by President Barack Obama, has years of experience with similar cases from President Trump’s first term, during which he ruled favorably for cities challenging federal immigration enforcement policies.
In this lawsuit, the involved local governments are requesting a preliminary injunction to block the Trump administration’s policies until the judge reaches a decision.
Attorneys from the Department of Justice oppose this injunction, arguing that if the judge were to block the administration’s plans, he should limit any order to the jurisdictions listed in the lawsuit.
This highlights the crucial role of the nonprofits’ intervention, according to Rosenbaum and Huerta, as it seeks to ensure that the voices and needs of Los Angeles residents are represented in the ongoing legal battle.
A hearing on the nonprofits’ participation in the case is scheduled for June, with arguments concerning the potential preliminary injunction set for the following Wednesday.
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