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Huntington Beach loses legal challenge of California’s sanctuary law
Senate Bill 54, also known as the California Values Act, was passed and signed by the governor in 2017.
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HB loses latest challenge to state's 'sanctuary' law
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from Huntington Beach challenging the state’s sanctuary law. LAist's Jill Replogle explains why that matters.
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from Huntington Beach challenging the state’s sanctuary law. That law prohibits local law enforcement from assisting with federal immigration enforcement, except in the case of serious crimes.
The decision marks Huntington Beach’s second failed attempt to sue California over the sanctuary law, SB 54, known as the California Values Act. This time, the city had legal help from America First Legal, a conservative law firm founded by Steven Miller, the architect of President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy.
Shortly before Trump took office in January, taking office, America First Legal sent letters to hundreds of elected officials in cities and states with sanctuary laws, warning them that they could face legal consequences for allegedly impeding federal immigration enforcement.
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What did the city argue?
The city argued that SB 54 is unconstitutional and that prohibiting the city from cooperating with federal immigration authorities inhibits its ability to combat crime.
The city was joined in the lawsuit by Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff and 2026 gubernatorial candidate.
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How to keep tabs on Huntington Beach
- Huntington Beach holds City Council meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 2000 Main St.
- You can also watch City Council meetings remotely on HBTV via Channel 3 or online, or via the city’s website. (You can also find videos of previous council meetings there.)
- The public comment period happens toward the beginning of meetings.
- The city generally posts agendas for City Council meetings on the previous Friday. You can find the agenda on the city’s calendar or sign up there to have agendas sent to your inbox.
What did the judge rule?
U.S. District Court Judge Sunshine S. Sykes ruled that, based on precedent, the city lacks standing to sue the state on constitutional grounds in federal court.
Read the judge's ruling.
What’s next?
The complaint was dismissed without prejudice, meaning the city could try again to challenge the sanctuary law in court. No word yet on whether the city will do that.
How to reach me
If you have a tip, you can reach me on Signal. My username is @jillrep.79.
- For instructions on getting started with Signal, see the app's support page. Once you're on, you can type my username in the search bar after starting a new chat.
- And if you're comfortable just reaching out by email I'm at jreplogle@scpr.org
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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