Sanctuary Cities Are in DOJ’s Crosshairs

DOJ Is Suing California for Sanctuary Cities

Like it or not, Indio Mayor Michael H. Wilson is never one to mince words.

Wilson held true to form this week following the news that the U.S. Department of Justice is suing California over its “sanctuary state” laws that shield immigrants from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Unlike Cathedral City and Coachella, Indio has so far refused to buckle under outside pressure to become a sanctuary city. It is expected to be a hot button issue in the November Indio City Council  election. To date, Wilson is being opposed by one candidate , Waymond Fermon. He has not yet take a public stand on sanctuary city policies but from all indications he supports them.

Wilson said he suspects the matter will make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court where ultimately the Depart of Justice will prevail based on the Supremacy Clause and Federal Preemption.

The federal government and Congress are responsible for immigration policy and law under the U.S. Constitution, Wilson told Uken Report.

“States do not have the right to usurp federal law. In this case,” Wilson said. “California has tried to do just that. I believe the California State Legislature took an action that they knew was on very shaky ground. They calculated that the federal government and the Department of Justice would not respond accordingly and would leave California alone. They thought wrong.”

Wilson said it’s likely that cities that have adopted sanctuary city policies will be caught in the crosshairs of the Department of Justice since the same Supremacy Clause and Preemption affects them just the same as it does the state of California.

“What kind of nation are we when states and cities fight to hide and shelter criminal aliens — those that have actually committed serious crimes, not just crossed the border illegally —  over the public safety and rights of American citizens? This is a fight between law and order and anarchy.”