The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Monday against Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass, and the City Council, seeking to block the city's sanctuary city ordinance, calling it “illegal” and “a threat to public safety.”
Filed in California’s Central District, the Trump administration’s lawsuit alleges that LA’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement has fueled “lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism,” prompting the deployment of Marines and the California National Guard.
Today, the Department of Justice sued Los Angeles over its illegal “sanctuary city” policies. We will keep enforcing federal immigration law in Los Angeles, whether or not the city’s government or residents agree with it. And we will not tolerate any interference with the federal… pic.twitter.com/2BIZbigVtx
— Chad Mizelle (@ChadMizelle47) June 30, 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the city’s policy “undermines law enforcement at every level.” LA officials, including Mayor Bass, pushed back, calling the accusations “lies” and blaming the raids for spreading fear.
The sanctuary law bars city workers from aiding immigration enforcement or collecting immigration status data. Federal prosecutors claim it discriminates against ICE and violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.
The City Council may vote Tuesday on legal action against the Trump administration to protect residents from alleged rights violations.
