El Cajon sues California Attorney General Bonta over California's sanctuary laws

El Cajon sues California Attorney General Bonta over California's sanctuary laws


The City of El Cajon, backed by the America First Policy Institute, is challenging California’s sanctuary laws in court.


EL CAJON, Calif. — A legal battle is underway between the City of El Cajon and California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the state’s sanctuary laws, setting up a court fight over how local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The dispute stems from a 15-page lawsuit filed on behalf of the city by the America First Policy Institute, which argues California’s sanctuary policies conflict with federal immigration law. At the center of the challenge is Senate Bill 54, a state law that limits when and how local police can work with federal immigration agencies.


The lawsuit claims the laws place local officials, including police officers, in a position where they could be forced to choose between complying with state or federal requirements.

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells says that because of SB 54, police officers are being put in a position where they could be in conflict with state or federal law.

“We’re just going before a judge and saying you can’t put our police officers in a trap where they’re going to be breaking the law,” Wells said. “You’ve got to arbitrate this and say whose law is more important.”

Wells also said the city was approached by the America First Policy Institute after El Cajon passed a resolution last year.

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