NDLON statement on District Court Order Granting California’s Motion to Dismiss Claims Against SB54

Los Angeles, CA – Today, in another major defeat to the Trump administration, U.S. District Court Judge John Mendez, a George W. Bush appointee, granted California’s motion to dismiss Sessions challenge of SB 54 (“The California VALUES Act, Sen de León).

In response, Chris Newman, Legal Director for NDLON issued the following statement:
“Judge Mendez’s order is an important reminder about the significance of an independent judiciary, and it also serves as a call to action by making clear that there is considerable untapped legal authority at the state and local level to protect our communities from Trump’s barbaric deportation agenda. It is now incumbent upon lawmakers to build upon SB 54 (“The VALUES ACT, Senator de León) in Sacramento and elsewhere.

“The Trump Administration’s attacks on California have only propelled the movement to #AbolishICE, and in a very real sense, Jeff Sessions has done us all a favor by removing any remaining doubt about the legality of sanctuary policies that kick ICE out of police and sheriff departments.

“The moral imperative for sanctuary policies is self-evident. There is now clear legal authority to get ICE Out of our communities and to incrementally build a durable policy agenda to #AbolishICE as soon as congress is functional again and there is no longer a monster in the White House.”

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