US DOJ sues California over impeding immigration enforcement

Houston: The US Justice Department has sued California and two top state officials for interfering with federal immigration activities by passing and enforcing laws that hinder America's operations against undocumented immigrants.

The lawsuit filed yesterday in federal court in Sacramento, California, points out that the Constitution gives the US government sweeping authority over immigration.

Justice Department lawyers argue that California is blocking enforcement efforts by the Department of Homeland Security and imposing other impermissible obligations on the federal government.

The new federal case represents an escalation of the long-running battle between the Trump administration and California, whose Democratic governor Jerry Brown and Attorney General Xavier Becerra have positioned themselves as ideological opponents to the White House on matters from immigration and climate change to criminal justice.

Brown issued a statement last night that called the federal lawsuit "sad!!!" and a political stunt.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a proponent of immigration restrictions, said the Department of Justice and the Trump administration are going to fight these "unjust, unfair and unconstitutional policies that have been imposed." In his statement, the state's governor took on Sessions.

"At a time of unprecedented political turmoil, Jeff Sessions has come to California to further divide and polarise America," Brown said.

"Jeff, these political stunts may be the norm in Washington, but they don't work here. SAD!!!," Sessions retaliated.

The Justice Department is also locked in courtroom battles with California and other jurisdictions over its threats to withhold federal law enforcement grant money from sanctuary cities, which refuse to voluntarily share information with immigration agents.