Santa Clarita Becomes First LA County City To Reject Sanctuary State Law

SANTA CLARITA (CBSLA) — The city of Santa Clarita has become the first in Los Angeles County to break with California's sanctuary state law.

Emotions ran high at Tuesday night's packed city council meeting, where 200 people reportedly signed up to make public comments. The meeting lasted into the early morning hours, as council members heard from community members over the issue.

Senate Bill 54 protects undocumented immigrants by limiting cooperation by local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities. Critics of the law say it promotes criminality, while proponents say it will keep communities safer.

Comments got heated at times, but when the council voted unanimously to file a brief to opt out of the sanctuary state law, the audience erupted into triumphant cheers.

Santa Clarita is the fourth largest city in mostly Democratic-leaning Los Angeles County. It's the latest city to voice its support for the Trump administration's federal lawsuit against California over the sanctuary state law.

Los Alamitos started the movement against SB 54 in March. Orange and San Diego County, and a handful of cities in Orange and Riverside counties, have followed suit.