A federal court in California has dismissed the Trump administration’s legal challenge against Los Angeles over its policy limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, marking another setback for Washington’s efforts to dismantle so-called sanctuary-style measures adopted by major Democratic-led cities.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin rejected the administration’s claim that the Los Angeles ordinance violated the Constitution. While the lawsuit was dismissed, the court allowed federal officials an opportunity to revise and refile their complaint.
The dispute centers on a city ordinance that restricts the use of municipal resources for federal immigration enforcement activities and bars city agencies from gathering information regarding an individual’s citizenship or immigration status for such purposes.
City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto welcomed the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the long-standing principle that local governments retain the authority to determine how their employees, departments, and resources are deployed.
The lawsuit was filed last year and argued that Los Angeles had crossed a legal line by refusing to assist federal immigration authorities. The challenge emerged amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement, including large-scale deportation operations that sparked demonstrations across Los Angeles and prompted the deployment of federal troops.
In his decision, Judge Olguin found that the ordinance does not attempt to regulate the federal government. Instead, he concluded that the measure governs only the conduct of city officials and agencies, placing it within the city’s authority.
The ruling adds to a growing list of courtroom defeats for the administration’s efforts to overturn local immigration policies. Similar lawsuits targeting comparable measures in Boston and Chicago have also been dismissed by federal judges.
For now, Los Angeles’ restrictions on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement remain intact, though the administration retains the option of pursuing the matter further through an amended complaint.
