DOJ backs Huntington Beach in legal challenge to California's 'sanctuary' state law

The Trump administration on Tuesday entered the legal fray over California's "sanctuary state" law, backing the city of Huntington Beach in its lawsuit against California's "sanctuary state" law and arguing that it violates the Supremacy Clause.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest challenging the California Values Act, arguing that it "interferes with the federal government's enforcement of federal immigration law" by interfering with cooperation between U.S. and local authorities.

The statement was filed in support of the city's lawsuit challenging California's immigration enforcement restrictions. City of Huntington Beach v. The State of California et al., 25-cv-00026, (C.D. Cal., filed Jan. 7, 2025)

The city sued the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Attorney General Bonta on Jan. 7.

"California's enforcement of the [California Values Act] against Plaintiffs represents an important decision by the State to prevent law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement," Justice Department counsel Sean Skedzielewski wrote. "Enforcement of the so-called 'Values Act' is unlawful, because the Act itself is unlawful."

"California's existing state law is designed to interfere with local jurisdictions that want to carry out immigration enforcement," U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.

The 36-page statement supports Huntington Beach's claim that California's law unlawfully stops local agencies from complying with ICE detainers, arresting on civil immigration warrants, sharing release dates, or giving detainees' personal information. The Justice Department argues this breaches constitutional principles and contradicts federal immigration law.

The statement represents the latest Justice Department challenge to state laws restricting immigration enforcement cooperation.

The California attorney general's office has not weighed in on the Trump administration's statement in the case. Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael A. Vigliotta was not available for comment.

The California Values Act, passed in 2017, limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Supporters say it protects immigrant communities and encourages crime reporting. Critics argue it hampers public safety efforts.

The case adds to growing tensions between federal immigration policy and California's sanctuary state protections as the Trump administration prepares to expand enforcement operations.