Santa Clara County Sues Trump Administration Over 'Sanctuary Cities' Order

SOUTH BAY, CA — The County of Santa Clara is seeking a court showdown with the Trump administration over the president's recent executive order requiring so-called sanctuary cities and counties to either help authorities in the deportation of immigrants or lose federal funding.

On Feb. 3, the county filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging President Donald Trump’s Jan. 25 executive order that seeks to punish cities and counties that don't assist authorities in the deportation of millions of immigrants.

The lawsuit challenges the Trump administration order on numerous grounds, arguing that coercing cities and counties to cooperate with federal deportation efforts by threatening to withhold unrelated federal funding violates the U.S. Constitution.

Notably, the order seeks to require counties to comply with “civil detainer requests” directing counties to hold certain immigrants in county jail beyond the time allowed by law, a practice that federal courts have said is unconstitutional.

The county contends that Trump's threat to withhold federal funding from Santa Clara County would jeopardize critical county services such as health care, mental health services, public safety and early childhood education programs.

“The President’s order is an unconstitutional attempt to coerce state and local governments into assisting with mass deportation,” County Counsel James R. Williams said in a statement. “We will resist any effort to illegally withhold funding for critical County services that support the health, safety, and well-being of all our residents.”

The lawsuit was filed by the Office of the County Counsel and Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP, which is representing the County on a pro bono basis.

The county’s lawsuit seeks to enjoin the Trump administration from withholding federal funds from states, cities and counties that are targeted by the order.

“Santa Clara County, the home of Silicon Valley, is a welcoming community that embraces immigrants and we will resist any effort to divide us,” Board of Supervisors President Dave Cortese said in a statement. “We will not stand by while the Trump Administration seeks to impose un-American and illegal policies that undermine our values.”

The Trump administration has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

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