Trump sued by ‘sanctuary city’ over immigrant order

The City of San Francisco is suing President Donald Trump, claiming an executive order over immigrant-protecting “sanctuary cities” is unconstitutional and a severe invasion of the city’s sovereignty.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday says Trump is trying to coerce local authorities into abandoning sanctuary city laws and policies, which San Francisco has adopted.

The president signed an order last week to withdraw funding from sanctuary cities that decline to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. It didn’t specify what kind of money could be pulled.

San Francisco receives about $1.2 billion a year in federal funding. The suit argues that the city is safer when all people, including those in the country illegally, feel safe reporting crimes.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera says the order violates state’s rights as well as the rule of law.

Meantime, legislative Democrats in California have advanced a bill that would provide statewide sanctuary for immigrants by restricting local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

The measure marks California Democrats’ first formal effort to resist President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

The Senate Public Safety Committee approved SB54 in a 5-2 party-line vote on Tuesday – less than a week after Trump signed an order threatening to withdraw some federal grants from established sanctuary cities.

Democrats say the legislation is necessary to prevent fear of deportation in families with members living in California without authorization.

Cory Salzillo of the California State Sheriffs’ Association says law enforcement officers at all levels of government must work together to keep people safe.

The legislation now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee.