California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) on Tuesday night bashed the Trump administration’s plans to sue his state over its immigration laws, calling it a “political stunt.”
“At a time of unprecedented political turmoil, [Attorney General] Jeff Sessions has come to California to further divide and polarize America,” Brown tweeted.
“Jeff, these political stunts may be the norm in Washington, but they don’t work here. Sad!!!”
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) also weighed in on the decision, saying Trump and Sessions “think they can bully California — but it won’t work.”
{mosads}Sessions will reportedly announce the lawsuit on Wednesday at the 26th Annual Law Enforcement Legislative Day hosted by the California Peace Officers’ Association in Sacramento.
The suit aims to block three so-called sanctuary laws California’s legislature passed last year in response to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement measures. Sanctuary cities encourage local police officers not to enforce federal immigration law.
California has emerged as a fierce opponent of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Brown last year pardoned two men who were set to be deported days later.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) has filed multiple lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s policies.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf late last month warned city residents of an impending raid from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. ICE said her comments kept them from locating more than 800 immigrants in subsequent sweeps, but Schaaf defended her decision.