Huntington Beach takes California to court over “unconstitutional” sanctuary law, citing public safety concerns.
At a Glance
- Huntington Beach sues California over SB 54, the state’s sanctuary law
- Mayor Pat Burns claims the law hinders law enforcement and endangers public safety
- The lawsuit seeks to invalidate SB 54, citing constitutional violations
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office prepares to defend the law
- The case reignites debate over immigration enforcement and local authority
Huntington Beach Challenges California’s Sanctuary Law
In a bold move, the City of Huntington Beach has filed a lawsuit against the State of California, challenging the constitutionality of SB 54, also known as the California Values Act. This sanctuary law, enacted in 2017, limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The city’s legal action has thrust the contentious issue of immigration enforcement back into the spotlight, pitting local concerns against state policy.
Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns has been vocal about the city’s stance, emphasizing the perceived threats to public safety. “We are fighting the Sanctuary State Law because it obstructs our ability to fully enforce the law and keep our community safe,” Burns stated. The mayor’s concerns extend beyond local issues, touching on broader national security apprehensions.
Huntington Beach CA Challenges California Sanctuary State law https://t.co/OgUZHrCug6
— Tom Klingenstein (@TomKlingenstein) January 8, 2025
Public Safety Concerns at the Forefront
The lawsuit filed by Huntington Beach cites increased crime rates and specific incidents involving undocumented immigrants as justification for challenging the sanctuary law. Mayor Burns has pointed to high-profile crimes committed by individuals who were in the country illegally. The city’s legal team argues that SB 54 impedes their ability to work effectively with federal authorities to address these issues.
“When the stakes are currently so high, with reports of increases in human trafficking, increases in foreign gangs taking over apartment buildings in the U.S., killing, raping, and committing other violent crimes against our citizens, we need every possible resource available to fight crime, including federal resources,” Mayor Burns said.
Legal Basis and Constitutional Challenge
Huntington Beach’s legal strategy rests on claims that SB 54 violates both the U.S. Constitution and federal immigration laws. City Attorney Michael Gates describes the lawsuit as “incredibly strong,” arguing that the Sanctuary State Law infringes upon the Supremacy and Naturalization Clauses of the Constitution. The city is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to invalidate the state law.
“Huntington Beach will not sit idly by and allow the obstructionist Sanctuary State Law to put our 200,000 residents at risk of harm from those who seek to commit violent crimes on U.S. soil,” Mayor Burns and City Attorney Gates jointly stated.
State’s Defense and Ongoing Debate
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office has indicated its readiness to defend SB 54 vigorously. A spokesperson for Bonta affirmed, “The Attorney General is committed to protecting and ensuring the rights of California’s immigrant communities and upholding vital laws like SB 54. Our office successfully fought back against a challenge to SB 54 by the first Trump administration, and we are prepared to vigorously defend SB 54 again.”
