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Topline:
The Department of Justice is suing Los Angeles over its sanctuary city policies, according to court documents filed today.
What is L.A. accused of? In the lawsuit, the department accuses the city of “deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration law,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. The department blames the ordinance for why it deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines.
What federal officials say: “Jurisdictions like Los Angeles that flout federal law by prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens are undermining law enforcement at every level — it ends under President Trump,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said.
Here’s what the city’s policy is: The city’s policy prohibits federal agents from using city resources — staff and property — for immigration enforcement, and does not allow the city to cooperate with such efforts. L.A. has been a sanctuary city since 2019.
What are city officials saying? Bass did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.