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In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing clash over immigration enforcement, the Trump-era Department of Justice has officially filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, aiming to compel the city to abandon its sanctuary city status.
The DOJ’s legal argument centers on the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, asserting that Los Angeles is unlawfully obstructing federal law by prioritizing local policies over national immigration enforcement. According to the lawsuit, city officials intentionally interfered with federal law enforcement operations, creating what the DOJ calls a “legal firewall” that undermines national sovereignty and public safety.
“Los Angeles is not above federal law,” a senior DOJ official said. “No city has the right to block federal officers from doing their job.”
The suit accuses Los Angeles authorities of refusing to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), shielding undocumented immigrants from detention and deportation efforts. In some cases, federal agents were reportedly denied access to individuals in custody or were not notified of their release—policies the DOJ argues are deliberate attempts to impede federal operations.
“This is not just a matter of policy disagreement,” the DOJ’s brief states. “This is an active violation of the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution. It is illegal, and it is dangerous.”
The lawsuit also calls for immediate injunctive relief to prevent Los Angeles from enforcing any city policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. In a striking move, DOJ lawyers further hinted that individual city officials could face criminal investigation if evidence shows they knowingly obstructed federal agents.
Conservative commentators quickly rallied behind the DOJ, calling the lawsuit a long-overdue step in restoring the rule of law. “Sanctuary cities have become sanctuaries for lawlessness,” one legal analyst remarked. “This is about more than immigration—it’s about upholding the Constitution.”
On the other side, Los Angeles officials are expected to mount a vigorous defense. In past statements, they’ve argued that sanctuary policies foster trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, leading to greater public safety. A response from the city is expected in the coming days.
As the legal battle begins, the case could set a major precedent for the future of federalism and immigration enforcement. One thing is clear: the Trump DOJ is not backing down — and neither is Los Angeles.
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