A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration that sought to block what it called L.A.\u2019s \u201cillegal\u201d sanctuary city law. <\/p>\n
In a weekend ruling, U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin granted the city\u2019s motion to dismiss the complaint, which alleged that the city ordinance violates the intergovernmental immunity doctrine by regulating and discriminating against the federal government. <\/p>\n
Olguin ruled that the government\u2019s allegations were \u201cinsufficient to establish that the Ordinance violates the intergovernmental immunity doctrine,\u201d but granted the administration permission to file an amended complaint by July 3.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ordinance does not directly regulate the federal government,\u201d Olguin said in his ruling. \u201cRather, it \u2018controls the actions of [the City\u2019s] own agents and agencies.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
The White House and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment. <\/p>\n
Although the administration could refile its complaint, L.A.. City Atty. Hydee \u200cFeldstein Soto celebrated the dismissal as a legal victory. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis order reinforces the well-established principle that local governments have the authority to decide how to use their personnel and resources,\u201d Feldstein Soto said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit, filed by the Trump administration in California\u2019s Central District federal court last June, said the country is \u201cfacing a crisis of illegal immigration\u201d and that its efforts to address it \u201care hindered by Sanctuary Cities<\/a> such as the City of Los Angeles, which refuse to cooperate or share information, even when requested, with federal immigration authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n The lawsuit came as immigration agents descended on Southern California, arresting thousands of immigrants and prompting protests across the region.<\/p>\n \u201cThe situation became so dire that the Federal Government deployed the California National Guard and United States Marines to quell the chaos,\u201d the lawsuit states. \u201cA direct confrontation with federal immigration authorities was the inevitable outcome of the Sanctuary City law.\u201d<\/p>\n