Trump Slams California Sanctuary Laws In Meeting With OC Supervisor, Deputy Sheriff

SANTA ANA (CBSLA/AP) — President Donald Trump hammered California for its sanctuary policies when he met Wednesday with local California leaders who oppose the state's refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

That includes failing to notify federal officials when people living in the country illegally are released from jails.

Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel, Deputy Sheriff Ray Grangoff, and several local mayors were among more than a dozen Golden State officials at the meeting. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Thomas Homan were also present.

Trump thanked the officials, saying they had "bravely resisted California's deadly and unconstitutional sanctuary state laws." He added that "California's law provides safe harbor to some of the most vicious and violent offenders on earth."

Trump argues that the policies violate federal law and result in the release of criminals into communities.

The meeting comes less than three months after the city of Los Alamitos passed an ordinance claiming an exemption from Senate Bill 54, which limits cooperation by local and state law enforcement with federal immigration authorities.

Since then, several other local cities have voted to oppose SB 54, including Newport Beach, Orange, Huntington Beach, Mission
Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Fountain Valley, San Juan Capistrano and Yorba Linda.

Last week, Santa Clarita became the first city in Los Angeles County to join the effort to challenge provisions of the California Values Act by either filing amicus briefs supporting the federal lawsuit or joining the federal government's suit.

The American Civil Liberties Union responded with a lawsuit against the city of Los Alamitos, claiming that the city's attempt to exempt itself from the bill is unlawful, wastes taxpayer money and threatens the safety and well-being of the city's residents.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)