LaMalfa Issues Statement on DOJ Lawsuit Against the State of California
March 7, 2018
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a lawsuit against the State of California, Governor Jerry Brown, and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra regarding three pieces of legislation which interfere with the federal government's immigration enforcement and removal programs.
LaMalfa said: "I strongly support the actions of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice to stop Sacramento's interference with federal immigration law. The state of California is actively inhibiting the federal government from carrying out its authority to secure our borders. Constitutionally, states cannot obstruct enforcement of federal immigration law, and that's exactly what Governor Jerry Brown is doing. This endangers the public and undermines those who do things the right way and immigrate here legally. Our local authorities need clarity and the legal ability to enforce the laws without fear of prosecution by the state.Whether Governor Brown likes it or not, those that are here illegally are breaking the law, and California cannot prohibit ICE from doing their jobs and removing them from the Country."
Legislation included in the Lawsuit:
- Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act
- Prevents local law enforcement from telling a federal agent when an immigrant will be released from prison.
- Prevents a direct transfer from local prison to federal custody without a judicial warrant (and except for a few serious crimes).
- Assembly Bill 450, the Immigrant Worker Protection Act
- Fines employers if they comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests to access the "nonpublic" areas of their business.
- Fines employers if they comply with ICE requests to review employee records.
- Assembly Bill 103
- Requires the CA Attorney General review the immigration holding facilities within the State.
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
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