The Trump administration filed a lawsuit on Monday against the city of Los Angeles, alleging that its sanctuary city policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and contribute to public disorder.
Filed in U.S. District Court, the lawsuit targets the “sanctuary city” ordinance, which bars local law enforcement from using city resources to assist with immigration-related matters or share information about undocumented individuals. The White House contends this policy undermines efforts to address what it calls a “crisis of illegal immigration.”
“We will keep enforcing federal immigration law in Los Angeles, whether or not the city’s government or residents agree with it,” said Chad Mizelle, chief of staff to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
This marks the latest legal action by the Trump administration against sanctuary jurisdictions. Previous lawsuits have been filed against New York,New Jersey and Colorado, all of which have enacted similar protections for undocumented residents.
City Defends Its Policy
A spokesperson for City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto defended the ordinance, stating it was “carefully drafted” to comply with federal law and respect the constitutional separation of powers between state and federal governments.
“Our city remains committed to standing up for our constitutional rights and the rights of our residents,” said spokesperson Ivor Pine.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, a co-author of the city’s sanctuary law, said Los Angeles would fight to protect immigrant communities.
“Trump is tearing families apart,” he said. “We refuse to stand by and let Donald Trump deport innocent families.”
Immigration Raids, Protests, and National Guard Deployment
The lawsuit notes that over the past three weeks, federal immigration agents have conducted large-scale raids across Southern California, arresting hundreds of people. These actions have sparked widespread demonstrations, including mass protests and civil unrest.
The lawsuit claims that the city’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities has contributed to “lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism” since June 6. On June 18, Mayor Karen Bass lifted a curfew that had been in place for a week to curb nighttime violence concentrated around government buildings in downtown Los Angeles.
According to the filing, over 100 people have been arrested for charges ranging from assaulting federal officers to setting fire to Waymo self-driving cars.
A Broader National Fight
The legal clash over immigration enforcement reflects broader political tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic-led cities that have pledged to shield undocumented residents from deportation.
The administration’s complaint also referenced Trump’s campaign platform, which prominently featured pledges to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. As the federal crackdown intensifies, resistance in Los Angeles and other cities is escalating, setting the stage for a prolonged legal and political battle.