United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has filed a lawsuit against the state of California over pro-immigrant laws that protect Californians from the abuses of immigration enforcement officials.
This lawsuit is the latest reminder of the Trump Administration’s war on immigrants and its efforts to spread fear and separate families. It is an anti-immigrant attack on the most immigrant-populous state.
California Governor Jerry Brown described Sessions’ suit best:
This is a political stunt…It’s not about the truth. It’s not about protecting our state. It’s about dividing America.
California will not stand for such cruelty.
Leaders from across the Golden State were quick to respond to the lawsuit — and defend immigrants from Sessions’ racist actions.
During a press conference alongside Jerry Brown right after Sessions’ announcement, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said:
In California, our state laws works in concert with federal law. What we won’t do is change from being focused on public safety. We’re in the business of public safety, not deportation.
If someone tries to stop the sixth-largest economy in the world from doing the things that have made it successful. we’re going to be there to protect our state and protect our people.
Kevin De León, President pro-Tempore of the California State Senate, had strong words for Attorney General Sessions:
If U.S. Attorney General Sessions is suing California because we refuse to help the Trump Administration tear hard-working families, I say ‘Jeff Sessions, bring it on because we’re ready in California’.
California’s two U.S. senators also expressed their support of the immigrant community. Here’s what they had to say. From Kamala Harris:
California represents the future, and if Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions don’t like it, they are in for a fight. It’s time for them to stop playing politics with immigrant communities and start focusing on public safety.
And Dianne Feinstein:
Attorney General Sessions called California’s efforts ‘irrational and unfair.’ Exactly the words I’d use to describe the targeting of immigrants who are working, paying taxes and follow the law instead of those with serious criminal records.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who was attacked by Sessions for warning city residents of upcoming immigration raids, defended her actions:
How dare you vilify members of our community by trying to frighten the American public into thinking that all undocumented residents are dangerous criminals?
City mayors across the state have also expressed their support for Governor Brown and the immigrant community. According to acting San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell:
They want to come to California, we welcome everybody but that’s the point. We are a sanctuary city here in San Francisco and we are a sanctuary state in California…He comes here to threaten the state of California and make some headlines, distract from what’s happening in D.C., we’re not going to back down.
And Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti:
Standing with immigrants is fundamental to who we are as Angelenos, California, and Americans – and nothing the Attorney General says tomorrow can break our will to keep families together and our communities whole. Imagine if Trump’s Justice Department were to put this much energy into actually solving problems.
The United States is a nation of immigrants and the Trump Administration’s lawsuit against California threatens American values.
Join America’s Voice in thanking California leaders for standing with immigrants and sign this petition.
