What's Next For Arizona After Justice Dept. Sues California Over Sanctuary Laws?

Published: Monday, March 12, 2018 - 4:20pm

Now that the Justice Department has sued California over its sanctuary cities laws, what can neighboring Arizona expect?  

Last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced legal action again against California municipalities that harbor undocumented immigrants.

Democratic congressman Raul Grijalva says Arizona should start preparing for a similar legal offensive, but from the state government.

“Should they worry? Yeah. Given the Legislature we have, their talking points come from this administration. I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to replicate what Sessions is doing at a state level," Grijalva said.

Republican congressman Paul Gosar is glad the administration is suing California and believes the feds have the jurisdiction go after sanctuary locations in Arizona as well.

“Look at sovereignty of laws. The first step was filing suit against California. We are no different now than we were in the Civil War or in the segregation issue. This is the right of the federal government," Gosar said.

Ironically, justification for the lawsuit comes after the Obama administration sued Arizona in 2010. It claimed some provisions of the state’s SB 1070 law cracking down on undocumented immigrants usurped federal authority.