America First Legal (AFL) has escalated its legal battle against California’s sanctuary laws by adding Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco as a plaintiff. This move aims to challenge the controversial regulations that prevent local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities. AFL argues that these laws violate federal statutes and infringe upon officers’ free speech rights.
AFL highlights the dangers posed by such laws, stating they “shield illegal aliens” and have led to a troubling 20% surge in violent crime since 2017. The lawsuit seeks to dismantle what it describes as “short-sighted laws” that pressure officers into committing federal offenses. James Rogers, Senior Counsel at AFL, expressed his satisfaction with Sheriff Bianco’s involvement, saying, “AFL is pleased to announce that Sheriff Chad Bianco has now joined the City of Huntington Beach in challenging California’s illegal alien sanctuary laws.”
Rogers did not hold back in his critique of the California government, declaring, “AFL is proud to represent Sheriff Bianco in this important lawsuit to stop California from defying federal immigration laws and will continue to relentlessly defend our nation’s border security and protect American citizens.”
In its press release, AFL robustly outlined the legal fundamentals of its case, arguing that states lack the power to overturn federal law. They stated, “It is a crime to conceal, harbor, or shield illegal aliens. It is also a federal crime to prevent federal officials from discharging their duties.”
AFL further condemned these sanctuary laws, asserting, “California’s sanctuary laws require local law enforcement to commit federal crimes.” This argument emphasizes that the laws do not only shield illegal aliens but also restrict officers from discussing immigration status with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Their statement clarified that, “In this context, the legal violation is even clearer because federal law specifically gives local law enforcement officers the power to talk to DHS about the immigration status of individuals.”
AFL made a strong case against the legality of California’s sanctuary laws. Their document stated, “California’s illegal alien sanctuary laws effectively prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement authorities, unlawfully shield illegal aliens, and threaten public safety.” They accuse the state of directing local officials, including police departments and sheriff’s offices, to violate federal policies surrounding immigration and crime.
In its closing remarks, AFL reinforced the gravity of California’s actions, writing, “Since California began passing sanctuary laws in 2017, tens of thousands of dangerous criminal illegal aliens have been released back into the community, and violent crime has surged nearly 20 percent across the state.” This serious allegation serves as a vivid reminder of the potential consequences of defying federal immigration laws.
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