We do have a huge problem; our main problem is Donald Trump, Jeff Sessions and the whole lot of racist, xenophobic, homophobic, myopic right wing crazies destroying our great nation that was founded on immigration and acceptance. Immigration is a red herring issue being used to obfuscate and distract the nation from the real problems our nation faces like needing universal healthcare for all, combatting global warming, affordable quality education, and better infrastructure. The republicans now only want to give tax breaks to the wealthy and nurture hate. I am disgusted with all the vile hate bile that they spew; the 2018 elections can't come soon enough.
25
Idiocy is equally shared it appears. Republicans opposing gun control and Democrats opposing Illegal Immigration control !
3
What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Elmer Fudd works, too....
3
Sessions spends too much time arguing the merits of the law, which is not in his purview at all. The important thing from his POV is that good or bad, the law IS the law, and the entire state of California is in open rebellion against the Federal government. Even if they had a good reason, this would be a matter for the Justice Department to deal with.
6
Sanctuary cities believe that they do not have to inquire about someones legality. However, they will not stop the Federal agencies from doing so. They accept that any illegal that has a criminal record should be reported. They will not shield a criminal. They believe that all citizens have the right of privacy until they break the laws. They believe they will get more cooperation to identify criminals if the others are not harassed. They believe this will offer better and safer law enforcement. They note that the federal agencies are the ones to enforce federal laws.
At least two court decisions have said that to punish sanctuary cities for their position is unconstitutional and will not allow Federal with holding of money.
10
I'm very proud to be a Californian and I'm very proud of Jerry Brown, our governor.
Donald Trump is not my president and Jeff Sessions is not my attorney general. Sessions has proven himself to be just another liar in the Trump administration. Go back to Washington and don't come back to California.
14
good to be proud of California - it is a fabulous place.
But you don't get to reject the elected president or duly appointed AG. By constitution Trump is your president and Sessions is your AG. Get used to it.
If you don't like their actions or policies, instead of breaking the law, get active and work towards the next election.
6
You cannot engage on the issue?
You cannot defend sanctuary cities. You cannot defend breaking the law.
All you can do is try to insult and impugn those who wish to enforce it and discredit them and thereby discredit their objective of enforcing the law. And liberals do it on every issue. They never engage on the issue. They never debate the issue. They can’t. They won’t. They either try to shut you up, they try to shut down your rally, they try to overwhelm your rally, but they will never engage.
7
We have a problem for sure...it's Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions.
Watching Governor Brown and his attorney general last night on PBS respond to Sessions was a breath of fresh air. On the one hand we have Washington with its lies and corruption versus leaders from California who actually care about the people they represent. Compare California with Alabama. That's all one needs to know.
14
We do have a problem, a racist incompetent is sitting in the oval office and creating huge distractions like this one to keep the public eye off of Russiagate. Where are your back taxes, Mr. Trump and why do you keep them hidden?
I stood outside the meeting in Sacramento, as part of a rally gathered to protest Jeff Sessions and his racist lies. If he wants to protect people, let him send the ICE agents after the Ms-13 gang instead of the 7-11 and farm working folks.
12
The problem is the confederate elf himself.
16
Stay away from us, Mr. Sessions and Mr. Trump. The more hate you spew toward our way of life the more we will fight you tooth and nail. You are both bigots and racists. You are disgraces to the human race. Just leave us in California alone. You know nothing about us. For a start, we embrace our diversity...that is our identity. How I count the days when you are both just bad memories.
12
Yes, Jeff, we have a problem. But you won't seem to take the hint and go away.
3
We definitely have a problem, and it's not in California!
10
So Chief Derek Williams of Ontario, CA is "extremely bifurcated" given his city is half hispanic? Doesn't he apply the law equally and blindly? If he is "bifurcated" he needs to resign immediately and quit worrying about offending voters for the next election he faces. Derek Williams is part of the problem! ENFORCE the Law!
7
Funny how all these NYers want to tell Californians how to live.
Nyers are always jealous of us.
4
Americans are all for legal immigration and this country has benefitted from immigrants from all over the world. We welcome them and they bring many talents to our nation. What many of us are vehemently against is illegal immigration and the breaking of our laws. This is unfair and unjust to those who apply legally and wait their turn to enter. These illegals are cutting in front of law abiding people who present the proper papers for consideration for citizenship. It is long overdue that we are taking on the multitude of illegals who are residing in our country. They need to go back to their country of origin and apply properly. They should not get preferential treatment for breaking our laws.
11
If the majority of illegal immigrants were white, this would not be an issue that Sessions and Trump could exploit. Their rallying cry is nothing but bigotry thinly wrapped under a false label of “safety”. Remove the bigotry, and there’s really nothing there.
Californians know this.
13
Mr. Sessions - you have a problem yourself and, as a result, you have become the problem. Consider for only a moment the question: What influence did you have or exert that caused you to be born in the continental United States? My grandparents on both sides were immigrants. I'll put my resume, including my military service, against yours any day. YAlso, you and your supervisor have no answer to the question as to who would willingly be doing the day-to-day scutwork of society that immigrants have used throughout our history to get a leg up.
11
So we no longer enforce the law because YOU think YOUR people deserve it? Got it!
7
I didn't say that. Perhaps you might consider reading it again after you have calmed down a bit.
1
California has no concerns, everything is fine ..all illegals are here to work, in fact lets make sure we protect all illegals from any part of the country.
Brown, the career politician and the attorney general (member of La Raza” — The Race.) says it is all OK.
3
Private Prisons totally support Jeff Sessions and ICE - who keep their prison beds constantly filled - hence, increasing profits on these Private Prisons Balance Sheets.
5
“Mr. Sessions told a crowd of more than 200 law enforcement officials in a hotel ballroom that he would not stand for the insubordination of California lawmakers and what he called the dangerous obstruction of federal immigration laws.”
No, Mr Sessions, it is fearmongers like YOU who are dangerous...
9
Jefferson Davis Beauregard Sessions hails from Alabama, home of Judge Roy Moore, an accused child molester who was nearly elected senator. Alabama is one of the most backward states in the nation. Yet Trump's whipping dog Sessions has the unmitigated gall to tell California they have a problem. Talk about calling the kettle black.
DD
Manhattan
12
The reason the liberals are against Jeff Sessions enforcing our immigration laws is that he is a conservative Republican. If this was a progressive Democrat like Maxine Watters they would be celebrating this action in the streets. The leftists who are fighting this are for open borders without any restrictions. Let the illegals enter freely is their motto. They do not see the consequences from this illegal activity. They do not care that they are breaking the law and the citizens are paying the price for this insanity.
Jeff Sessions has many Americans who support this move and hopes he does not relent. Illegal immigration has been going on in California for too long and finally they have a voice of reason in Mr. Sessions. Mr. Sessions fight the good fight and do not give up. We are rooting for you.
18
are you Jeff Sessions?? CA does NOT support "open borders". CA law enforcement has found their crime fighting jobs easier if anybody who reports a crime or tries to talk to the police doesnt face deportation.
6
California will continue to overwhelmingly reject Jeff Sessions and his Alabama brand of divisive politics - that of ramping up white fear and hate with his basket full of deceit and lies... It will never work here.
Are you really from NYC? If so, prepare to experience the same level of rejection first hand.
8
Mueller has shown that biggest law breakers of all are Trump people. Sessions is a perjurer.
3
Why is Jeff Sessions being scolded for calling out California for breaking the law? The politicians are protecting illegal immigrants who crossed into our borders without any regard for our rules. They are aiding and abetting criminals who have no right to be here. California residents are leaving the state in spades and soon the only ones remaining will be the progressives and illegals. What will become of this once great state is any one's guess not to mention the loss of revenue because of fewer residents. This will also result in fewer tourists visiting this wonderful state. They will redirect their dollars to those states who do the right thing and protect their borders.
With the exodus of residents, there will be a reduction in services due to lost taxes. Who will then support the state? The leftist politicians and those who are responsible for this dilemma occurring and not preventing this in the first place. The liberal politicians will regret this move once they realize how much money they are losing. Then it will be too late.
14
@WPLMMT
California leaders are doing what's best for California, and Sessions is doing what's best for Trump's racist base. The California policy is known to reduce crime in minority communities. Session would destroy that, raising crime for a few votes.
13
California is doing quite well my friend. What ‘mass’ exodus are you referring to? You’re confusing fake news for facts.
7
Correction: California's_Democratic_ leaders are doing what's best for California's Democratic leaders, i.e. importing hordes of Third World immigrants who will be eternally dependent on Democratic handouts and repay such largess with votes and unchallenged power.
7
Yes, we do have a problem. We have an administration that bases policy on inaccurate data and discredited notions of how to protect Americans from crime. We have an administration that believes it can win votes by publicly punishing brown people and lying about the facts. We have an administration whose leaders' minds are mired in the headlines and misconceptions of the 1970s.
California leaders know that successful policing in minority communities depends on a close and trusting relationship with the police. Sessions is willing to sacrifice that in order to generate statistics and perp-walk video for Fox News.
13
California will become a place where those who want to enter illegally will find they are very welcome and will greeted with open arms. Those who have come to our country by following the proper channels will see that they have been chumps. This illegal immigration activity will achieve the goal of only encouraging those not to follow our laws. Talk about chaos!
These liberal politicians need to be voted out of office for encouraging this criminal activity. If any of those entering illegally commit serious crimes, the politicians should also be charged with a crime. Tourists should boycott this once great state until laws are enforced. Maybe if they see lost revenue from tourists and those fleeing this state the tide will turn. They better determine what is important for California. Soon California will become a ghost town with all the great people gone.
13
@WPLMMT: I would like to know if you have ever lived or even visited the great big beautiful state of California ~ have you? For how long? Where? Who did you visit with? Did you walk in minority communities? Did you talk to people who didin't look like you or come from where you came from? Do you personally know any immigrants who have come to this country illegally? Have you heard any of their stories? Have you ever felt fear? What color is your skin? Where are you from? Where is your family from? How did they get here and why did they come? Just curious.
2
What is missing here is that this IS NOT AN IMMIGRATION issue, it is a STATE'S RIGHTS issue. Republicans need to understand that if the Federal Government can move forward on this, that means anytime the Federal Government decides that their mandate supersedes the rights of the States, they can refer back to this lawsuit (which is going to the Supreme Court).
That means all the times Republicans complained that States should NOT be under the finger of the Feds, that argument will be taken away by this case, and they would be HYPOCRITICAL to complain because this IS WHAT THEY WANTED!
7
I dont think any comparison can be made between the current Republican party and the Republican party of the past 70 years. After all, they also used to be "tough on Russia" and pro-free trade. Now they are in bed with Putin, and Trump is about to take us into a protectionist trade war.
3
No fan of Trumpists here, but Sessions is right that federal immigration law should be enforced. Whether CA officials need to help with that will be figured out by the courts. It would seem reasonable that they might not have to help but would be obliged not to obstruct, but that is of course a matters for the courts.
As an aside, do Trump officials have to get a visa to enter California?
8
California has the largest economy in the US with a gross domestic product worth $2.448 trillion, the sixth-largest in the world. It's also the state with the most immigrants, more than a quarter of its population.
Undocumented immigrants’ labor is worth more than $180 billion a year to California's economy. Labor from undocumented immigrants is fundamental not just to agriculture, but to child care, restaurants, hotels and construction.
It would seem that Sanctuary of undocumented immigrants is more than just about altruism. Without these immigrants, the cost of produce, construction, etc would rise. If undocumented immigrants were granted status as citizens, wouldn’t California then need to pay them the state minimum wage? Is it possible that California and actually all of us have a vested interest in keeping undocumented immigrants undocumented? That’s a horrifying thought — using undocumented immigrants as pawns. But it certainly isn’t a new story in the history of this country. And of course it’s not just California who have undocumented workers.
I would like to see an article that explores this further.
8
@rtf
The argument against Sessions's policy is not altruism, but rather that cooperating with ICE would increase crime in California. California leaders have established a successful approach to community policing that depends on the cooperation of crime victims with the police. But no one is going to help the police investigate real crime if the police might deport them, their family members or their neighbor. Sessions's policy will create strong-man criminal fiefdoms in very neighborhood.
4
As if Sessions would enforce OSHA laws, that's a laugh. They've done nothing but weaken and eliminate safety and environmental laws.
6
I'm not sure California will win from a legal standpoint, but I support the effort. We need immigration reform, not bigotry and cruelty.
8
So much for state's rights
Conservative opposition is so easy to predict. Does it benefit POCs? They're against it. Like clockwork.
3
This law suit should disappear. Somehow this administration needs to understand that states do not BELONG to the federal government, they are members. The police departments do not have to do the federal government's job. They cannot stop the federal government from doing its job but they don't have to help. I don't want my state taxes going to do what my federal taxes are supposed to be doing. The mayor did not put up road blocks preventing ICE from entering her city. She just publicized commonly known information...as is her right under the first amendment. This is a frivolous lawsuit and should be treated as one by the court.
5
The left has lost all sense of the rule of law. There are many laws I believe are wrong. Should I disobey them? It is indeed a slippery slope.
9
Nonsense. Feds enforce federal law and states enforce state law. States do not have to enforce federal law and last I checked, California is not breaking any federal immigration law...
4
My goodness is there nothing that you won't blame on the left? You have an administration that is working with the Russians,ignorant family members talking to foreign leaders like they know something. My God, a president who is being sued by a woman other than his wife. Is there no end to your complicity ? Get your own sick GOP house in order before you complain about the left. GOP is beyond the slippery slope
7
Read any of Mueller's indictments recently? How about Trump's and Republican efforts to cripple the FBI and Dept of Justice??? The loss of the rule of law is coming from the President on down through the Republican party.
4
Justice supersedes law. Deporting law abiding people who have lived peacefully in the US for many years is unjust. Most people understand this. But there is a certain sub section of the populace, rigid in thought, authoritarian in leaning, and lacking in compassion, who do not understand this. Or ignore this truth for political purposes. Unfortunately Jeff Sessions belongs to this group. He mendaciously and viciously distorts the meaning of justice by inserting the word "just" into his defense of laws he likes and against those he dislikes.
4
It's very simple, the federal government who's in charge of immigration policy, not the states, California needs to get out of the way once this goes to the Supreme Court, they lose.
The state is absolutely overrun with illegal immigrants especially in the south, the county of Los Angeles is crumbling under the strain and financial stress of taking care of people that have no jobs and no resources, homelessness is out of control and those that have money cannot afford housing because of the housing shortages.
You have some Californians that think that's paradise, most of the comment here, but for the majority of us that have jobs and a decent amount of money, this is not the California we want to live in.
7
Those homeless people with no jobs and resources are American citizens, because illegal immigrants are not entitled to financial support if they’re jobless, or housing assistance and social services.
3
Dont know if you ever ventured into Los Angeles to see who the homeless people are. I have lived in CA for the past 30 years, both northern and southern CA. I have seen lots of homeless people. I have NEVER seen a homeless hispanic, and I never have been approached on the street by a hispanic asking for money.
3
Deputy Williams: "The sharp increase in ICE activity has fostered “a lack of trust with law enforcement” among immigrant residents. “It’s a difficult time for us,” he said."
So, Mr Sessions, it appears it Is your Gestapo-like ICE activity that is endangering local police officers, not the mayor who acted as Paul Revere to warn the people.
5
The number of people in California who care about anything Mr. Sessions has to say is a very short list indeed. Start with the number of CA GOP members of Congress and add the number of billionaire octogenarians in Palm Springs and I think you have the answer, give or take a right-wing San Diego voter or two.
3
This is one of the most alarming events I have witnessed in my life and I have seen a lot of stuff go down.
1
How about Sessions having the nerve to bring up obstructing the EPA? That's the agency the President and his appointees are openly and deliberately dismantling, at lightning speed.
The dishonesty of this AG and his boss know no bounds.
7
Article 1, section 8 of the constitution enumerates the powers of the federal government. While Naturalization laws are one of the enumerated powers, California is NOT seeking naturalization for our foreign guests. We simply refuse to assist a federal government that seeks to detain and deport our foreign guests.
3
When is this farce going to stop? The left fights any and all enforcement of immigration laws. That is because Central America is in the process of Dr facto annexing California and ultimately the rest of the United States. Brown's just presiding over it.
7
Central America is annexing California?
2
Nonsense. Under Obama there were more deportations than under the three previous presidents combined.
3
Last I checked, the country that is busy with annexation is Russia, and Trump and his people are complicit.
3
For years, Republicans have proclaimed to the world that they are compassionate conservatives who support strong family ties.
However, the paranoid Trump administration seems hatefully obsessed with deporting multitudes of immigrants who help to strengthen our communities, and who have not committed any serious crimes.
Wells Fargo CEO's and supervisors have not been sent to jail for committing outrageous fraud against thousands of their customers. Also, almost anyone who has a grievance can easily buy a military assault weapon designed to murder human beings.
However, undocumented, hard-working, honorable, immigrants can be arrested, jailed without bond for years, and deported if they have a broken tail light on their car, or they are just enjoying dinner with their family.
A recent, new display of Trump inhumanity is - even for people who are fleeing horrendous conditions in their home country, when illegal immigrant families voluntarily approach border patrol officers, parents and children are separated and jailed in different states. Young 6 year old children are terrorized and traumatized when they are ripped away from their mothers, who in truth, they may never see again.
This wretched, draconian, anti-Christian punishment is designed to "discourage" other illegal immigrants from trying to enter the U.S.
God, I can't believe that the leaders of our country are so blind to the principles of empathy and integrity on which our democracy was founded.
9
Welcome to the future. This conflict is the result of political can-kicking and refusing to deal with or create sound economic policy. We welcome illegal immigrants yet there is no reasonable path to citizenship. We have people right here in Sacramento who’ve lived in this state for 5-10-20 years and yet they are still not American citizens. The benefit to the states economy is obvious, it accounts for about 10% of the workforce in Los Angeles and we’ll over 50% of the workforce in the Central Valley where so much of the Nations Food Agricultural is grown.
This is an exploitation issue. These people are being used in a political game of chicken between Democrats and Republicans. Regardless of who wins here California there will still be 11 million people in this country who should have a better way to become American citizens.
8
Once again this crude and ignorant administration is shamelessly attempting to punish a progressive state that voted against it in the presidential election. The "right to asylum" is a time-honored concept that even an intolerant medieval Church observed. Iconography in art shows persons clinging to church columns, seeking refuge from persecution. The violation of Enlightenment ideas on which this nation is founded and the contempt for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights shown by just about all government agencies under this vile administration is inspiring a popular movement mainly by the young which in due time will expose and eradicate its malignancy.
4
Do republicans stand for State's rights or do they stand for strong federal government? I guess it boils down to whatever suits them. Very sad times indeed.
3
States rights? Seems to me you can't have it both ways.
Remember this?
The federal government was not enforcing immigration law. So the governor of Arizona decided to write her own law that was passed, and all it did was enforce existing federal law, and the federal government sued them! They didn’t have the right. The states didn’t have the right, Obama said. They didn’t have jurisdiction over immigration law, that that’s federal, and so Obama judges ruled the Arizona law unconstitutional and told everybody to go pound sand.
5
Jeff Session, this mild-mannered grandpa, is right on this one. CA should follow the law.
8
It does.
4
Donald Trump campaigned on a platform of open racism, and has continued that tone throughout his Presidency.
Jeff Sessions is running the Justice Department as if the purpose of its existence were to destroy rather than protect civil rights.
These two men are simply despicable, and it is a disgrace to our country that they hold these positions.
4
You cannot engage on the issue? You cannot defend sanctuary cities. You cannot defend breaking the law.
All you can do is try to insult and impugn those who wish to enforce it and discredit them and thereby discredit their objective of enforcing the law. And liberals do it on every issue. They never engage on the issue. They never debate the issue. They can’t. They won’t. They either try to shut you up, they try to shut down your rally, they try to overwhelm your rally, but they will never engage.
You really don't know much.
“A federal judge in Northern California, Judge William Orrick, has declined a request from the California attorney general to block the Trump administration’s decision to withhold law enforcement grants to the state as part of its crackdown on sanctuary cities.”
In other words, a federal judge has allowed the Trump administration to withhold grant money from California as part of the crackdown on sanctuary cities.
You know, when money’s involved… when you threaten to take their money away, that’s when you get their attention.
4
The Attorney General only wishes to shower Californians with the social harmony and economic benefits that he and others of his persuasion have bestowed so liberally upon Alabama for so long. In their gratitude, Californians reply, 'Thanks a lot.'
3
California is a great place to live and that's not why Mexicans are risking their lives to get here. Mexicans are not risking their lives so they can cut lawns, pick-up garbage, do odd clean-up jobs, or work 10-hour days six days a week, for $5. They want a life where they can prosper.
Instead of spending billions of dollars building walls, hiring more ICE agents for posse round-ups, and deporting thousands of people, help Mexico build itself. Imagine the benefits if we invested the $25b wall money into their economy.
Don't penalize industries that build plants in Mexico; help them be successful and in turn, Mexican families will choose to stay in their homeland and build successful lives and communities.
And to charge Mexico with a trade imbalance while not helping them build their economy is plain rude. Help Mexico develop industry where people can get good paying jobs and they will choose to live in the communities they love.
Call me Pollyanna. Yeah, I've heard it before. But that doesn't change the bottom line: we don't leave everything behind and leave places where we can get good jobs, be successful and raise our families.
6
I find it troubling that the feds are going forward with this dog and pony show all to show Trump's supporters hat he's tough on illegal immigration. It's too bad that Melania's parents have been granted permanent residence and are on their way to citizenship without going through the steps that everyone else is subjected to. I guess being related to the president has its privileges. Under the exact same circumstances but not related to Trump and being Latino, they would never get in. This farce of Sessions is hypocritical at best.
4
Be rest assured that Gov Browns position and the Californians is not Altruism but the need to keep the produce and wine industry humming,provide nannies,gardeners,roofers,house construction workers,hotel workers etc to maintain the California dreaming lifestyle!!!
3
California has said that it will cooperate fully with Federal agents in arresting and deporting illegal immigrants who commit crimes. What they will not cooperate with is wholesale roundups of anyone who is Mexican. That's the same "show me your papers" mentality that we used to despise in the USA.
4
Everybody understands that Jeff Sessions joyously puts up with Trump's non-stop brutal humilliations because it allows him to work for the greater racist evil he's pursued all his bigoted life. Recall his thinly disguised glee when he popped up on national television announcing the end of DACA? Many expected him to rub his hands frantically in sadistic fruition! Yet during a lifetime of public service, including 20 years in the U.S. Senate, Sessions did nothing to keep Alabama from ranking a shameful 47 in educational quality, among 50 states. Ignorance and bad faith are the hallmark of Donald Trump's disastrous administration!
2
I find this to be very scary. It feels like California has no support from our country. We are in fact, standing alone against a very big, scary, bully. It's making me sick to my stomach.
1
The residents of California are leaving the state in droves due to the illegal immigration problem. The officials refuse to follow the immigration laws so the people are fleeing in disgust. They see their taxes rising and the diminished return they are receiving. Crime has increased dramatically and the citizens are not safe in their own state. Soon California will be inhabited by only those who cannot afford to move and illegal citizens. Progressives will also be staying because they do not see the dangers illegal immigration possesses to its citizens. They are actually encouraging it. It increases the Democrat voting base which is why they do not act to curb this situation.
This flagrant ignoring of our laws is a boon for illegals. If they can get away with sneaking into the country without any restrictions or penalties, they will flock to California. It already has a reputation for sanctuary status so the illegals have nothing to lose. This once great state is out of control.
5
Any evidence for your claims? I see you’re not from California.
2
Go home to Alabama Mr. Sessions. Hang with Roy Moore. You won’t get any arguments from him. Leave the good people of the state of California alone.
5
We have a problem. How dare we??? Jeff asks. Better punish us Jeffy, for our behavior. Kick us (and our massive GDP) out of the union. How ever will we survive???
3
That photo of the protester with the sign "Abolish ICE Abolish White Supremacy" is why Donald Trump will win in 2020. There is nothing racist about enforcing immigration law, and the quickest way to push people away from the Left is to advocate open borders.
8
Why Sessions really went to California:
1. He really needed to get away from the mess in DC for a spell.
2. It's warm in Sacramento and it's cold in DC.
3. Needling west coast states is better in person than from afar in Alabama.
3
Go Jerry! 8th largest economy in the world, feeds the country and the world, CA dreaming for Dreamers!
4
It's time for California to get out of this failed country. The future of america is autocracy, and we deserve better.
#calexit
2
I am watching 'Hitler's Circle of Evil' and I can honestly say that I cannot avoid equating some of the events from the late 1920's early 30's to what is happening today. I cannot decide if Sessions fits on the character of Goering because Goering was far more charismatic or wost Himmler ( who I secretly assigned to John Kelly).
Using immigrants as scapegoats is eeriely resembling today's rethoric. All the propaganda aimed to blame them for the ailings of a faulty economy and ultimately to drive "the foreigners" out of Germany / Austria. Eerie!
My only comfort is that 'Trump's Circle of Evil' are nothing if not incompetent. Thankfully, we stll have some leaders like Gov. Jerry Brown standing for decency, fairness and yes, equality.
3
If you are in the United States and you are not a citizen or have legal status, and if you or your parents entered the United States you are an illegal alien, not a dreamer.
6
California is not the problem, the fraud who cliams to be our President and his bumbling sycophants like Mr. Sessions are the problem.
5
So the argument basically is that California isn’t locking up enough people to satisfy a Southern racist like Jeff Sessions. Somehow I doubt we’d be having this discussion if these were blond haired blue eyed Swedes.
When are we going to admit the real problem in this country is racist white Southern Republicans.
4
California is dead wrong. Go get ‘em, Jeff. We are talking about ILLEGAL aliens, not legal documented workers. Get a life.
8
Suppose California decided that it sympathized with people engaged in certain political causes, and therefore gave sanctuary, against Federal laws against, say, hijacking to advance that cause?
The fact is, entering the country without authorization is a federal crime. (On the other hand, entering legally, such as on a tourist visa, and then failing to leave on time is a federal violation, but not a crime).
The point is, can states pick and choose which federal laws it likes, and which it does not like, and then selectively give violators of federal criminal laws sanctuary? An outlaw state in the Union?
Sounds like California wants to cut itself free of the Union.
17
Unlike the former slave states that still long to secede, California would be a powerhouse country if it left the Union.
Don't dare we Californians too hard to leave Trumpistan.
1
California is not breaking any laws, federal or not. It is enforcing the civil rights of its people. Even those suspected of having entered without authorization still have rights, and those who have committed serious crimes who have no valid visa are turned over to ICE. Or do you really want to give ICE the authority to ask everyone who “looks Hispanic” for their papers or ask their employers for their personnel records without their knowledge and without a warrant that shows good cause to see those records? Let’s talk about Roy Moore, a pedophile who violated the separation of Church and State as elected judge in Alabama. Now there you have your “outlaw state”...
1
and take New York with you !!!!
2
California will outlive this corrupt and un-American administration.
115
I hope California & the rest of this country "will outlive ...", but I am ever more fearful that only those of extraordinary wealth or good fortune/luck, regardless of race creed or color, will actually do so without serious damage if not devastation.
2
Yes, we do have a problem, Mr. Sessions. You're the problem.
93
My grandparents had to wait years before getting permission to come here in 1949. They and other legal immigrants want LEGAL immigration and resent shady short cuts and would have expected the US to police illegal immigrants. Why protect them? States that protect illegals can raise taxes to care for them in the emergency rooms and schools and jails etc. I don’t want my federal tax dollars going to states that protect illegals. California, take responsibility then of your illegals and dish out more of your own taxes. Long live LEGAL IMMIGRATION.
35
States rights!!!! States rights!!!!! Oh, wait. Not with this, or gay marriage, or legalized marijuana, or guns. Otherwise, States rights!!!!!!
Fact check, Mickey: California, New York, and a number of other 'blue states' (including your own New Jersey, by the way) send far more federal tax money to Washington than they receive back. That's why those states already do have high state and local taxes: such taxes are required to maintain the states' services, and thus the quality of life, for their own citizens.
You might then ask yourself, 'where do my federal tax dollars go, then'? Well, my dear chump, they go to red states like Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky - all of which receive $2 or $3 or more back from Washington for every $1 they pay in federal taxes.
In short, California, New York and New Jersey subsidize less populous, less economically prosperous states that also have rather low state and local taxes of their own.
Do a little bit of research, Mickey. While you've been busy pounding your chest, you've been had. Your pocket is being picked, all right, but you haven't figured out who is walking away with your wallet.
3
The GOP immigration plan would gut legal immigration.
The Republicans can't have it both ways - do Federal rights supersede States when we are talking about economic security, a safe and clean environment and human rights? Or, as traditional Republican values dictate, do States have the right to oversee and police illegal activity as judged by the State within it's borders?
Jeff Sessions is pandering to the mean-spirited and unbalanced fool at the end of his chain, and he and his archaic views are not welcome in California. Soon enough they will all be gone.
66
How is it the Governor Brown and several Mayors aren’t doing the same thing? I’m not a supporter of either party anymore but one has ask why we aren’t demanding a better path to citizenship? The economic benefits and social of having immigrants is obvious but having people here for years twisting in a state of non-citizenship only benefits the Businesses that are exploiting them.
1
It’s worth noting that this is the same Jeff Sessions who lied under oath about illegal and potentially treasonous contact with the Russians. He’s basically now just a pitiful, neutered lap dog doing Trump’s bidding. I don’t think anyone really cares what he thinks. California strong!
81
It's a wonder he can he do his job with that selectively faulty memory!
3
Does anyone else see the irony of a federal official pontificating on the supremacy of federal law in a state where legal recreational marijuana is diametrically opposed to federal laws?
24
When we pass laws that make legal immigration difficult, while demonizing hard-working honest and striving immigrants, we are the problem. When we target certain people with certain origins, while ignoring others, we are absolutely being racist. When we demonize immigrants, we are demonizing our own ancestors, many of whom faced the same xenophobic hostility that Sessions and Trump embody. Californians are right to oppose and resist The Federal Government's treatment of Muslim and dark skinned people, under the guise of immigration control. We are upholding the values represented by the Statue of Liberty and our success as a state is closely tied to our embrace off diversity, welcome and opportunity. Immigrants are not criminals, just because they are undocumented, no Law can make a human being illegal.
51
Vocabulary changes reflect the agendas of a political debate. The fight over illegal immigration plays out by altering words & their meanings. The English has been clear & exact for nearly a century: illegal alien was a term for any foreigner who crossed the US border without coming through customs. Illegal alien was a politically neutral, & exact term: one used by both the Supreme Court and the Federal Government. Open-borders advocates didn't like the word because it accurately emphasized both illegality & the foreignness of those arriving into the US from another country. Illegal alien initially was reinvented as “undocumented alien,” as if the violation became one of simply forgetting (rather than never having) one’s supposed legal documents at home. But the noun “alien” still implied arrivals were somehow separate from US citizens by virtue of their illegal resident status. So next the noun changed to immigrant, as if undocumented immigrant gave the impression that forgetful visitors had just strayed innocently across the border. So a mere immigrant has sometimes replaced an undocumented immigrant, as if there were now no real difference between coming into the US legally or illegally. Being against illegal immigration is now seen as being against lawful immigration itself. That's absurd. We will have no progress on this issue until we admit that there's a difference.
7
Like many of the GOP policies it's States' Rights.... Until they want shive a policy down your throat. Religious Right? Compassionate Conservatives? So many policy stances are not only unpopular but simply contradictory & do not promote intended goals.
24
"He said that the administration was 'full of liars' and that Mr. Sessions was 'basically going to war against the state of California.' "
You go Gov. Brown! Block that courthouse doorway against Federal intrusion on your state's rights.
41
An incoherent Jerry Brown was just on PBS Newshour defending the CA state laws that seek to set CA on a separate foreign policy course than the federal government. Lots of yelling and name calling, no facts. As Adam Liptak points out in his accompanying analysis, the fundamental problem with any state law that seeks to undermine the primacy of the federal government is that it does just that. Arizona's anti-immigrant law was struck down for the same reason that CA pro-immigrant laws will likely be struck down. For CA to complain that Sessions going to court to invalidate the CA laws somehow violates the rule of law [sic] rings hollow. If the Dems really want to reform immigration policy, they need to get their act together and elect a new Congress and then a new President. And to propose a coherent immigration policy other than being Anti-Whatever Trump Wants. "I'll not have whatever he's having" is not sound policymaking.
23
The CA state laws do not violate federal law. The set conditions for ICE to operate under, in order to ensure human rights are protected, but they do not violate federal law. And why can’t Republicans formulate a coherent immigration policy other than being anti-immigrant? Seems your thinking is a bit incoherent...
3
History has shown that neither party wants to come up with sound policy. Trump’s mouth has exasperated the he’s racist element while my state likes being able to exploit the workforce under the disguise of caring. It’s really the same thing.
The sad fact is that the people who came to California legally are now being marginalized in favor of support for illegal immigrants.
1
I guess one of the GOP’s former basic tenets, states’ rights, only applies to those rights about which the central government does not care.
40
Your ignorance or hatred - you choose - is showing.
Remember Obama? The federal government was not enforcing immigration law. So the governor of Arizona decided to write her own law that was passed, and all it did was enforce existing federal law, and the federal government sued them! They didn’t have the right. The states didn’t have the right, Obama said. They didn’t have jurisdiction over immigration law, that that’s federal, and so Obama judges ruled the Arizona law unconstitutional and told everybody to go pound sand.
Now when the Trump administration administration’s suing California, guess what California’s saying? “You can’t do that. What about states’ rights. Look at what you did in Arizona.” Yeah, and look at what you said in Arizona. You said states have no purview, no jurisdiction. It’s federal law. Well, the federales have arrived!
18
Fact Check:Obama was the President who deported more illegal immigrants. He earned the moniker: " Deporter in Chief!"
2
@Neil McElroy: Yes, I remember Obama. Under his presidency, the federal government enforced immigration law much stricter than under Bush. I also remember that disgrace of a sheriff, Joe Arpaio, who abused his position to bully Hispanics and needlessly humiliate prisoners, as if being a prisoner wasn’t punishment enough in and of itself.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of .."
Mr. Sessions, what part of We The People. . . . don't you understand?
17
Bruce - You recite the Preamble to the US Constitution. What does that have to do with California violating immigration law?
Give Judge Orrick a call, you know, Californian to Californian. Maybe he can explain it to you.
“A federal judge in Northern California, Judge William Orrick, has declined a request from the California attorney general to block the Trump administration’s decision to withhold law enforcement grants to the state as part of its crackdown on sanctuary cities.”
In other words, a federal judge has allowed the Trump administration to withhold grant money from California as part of the crackdown on sanctuary cities. You know, when money’s involved… When you threaten to take their money away, that’s when you get their attention.
10
You are mis characterizing the judges decision, which is provisional and technical. He actually sympathizes with Calfornia's case. It is absolutely false that the Trump administrative can now withhold grant money from California. They are not "allowed" as you falsely state. There will be lots more legal wrangling. You might want to read this article and get the current status of the case straight.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/05/sanctuary-city-trump-judge-438469
Bruce you needed to stop after “We the People of the United States....”.
These folks aren’t citizens. That’s the issue. I’d love them to stay. Make that possible instead of years working in limbo in California. This battle is political with no long term solutions offered by either side.
2
The police in CA are doing themselves a big disservice by inviting a racist to speak before them. Just reinforces the message in minority communities that the police are a bunch of jack-booted thugs.
33
"and some who are eager to help the federal government outright with immigration enforcement."
Such horrors in the age of Trump.
14
Yes Jeffery, you do have a problem. People are now fed up with jackbooted ICE thugs behaving like something out of the Hunger Games, kicking in doors and raiding businesses to rip families apart and arrest non-violent people. Raiding 7/11's to round up those serving slushies is what ICE has become. A contemptible organization. Here in Ohio we recently had an ICE arrest and deportation of a man that resulted in a family be ripped apart, leaving the wife and two kids. His heinous crime? Coming to this country twenty years ago. So take yourself and your ICE agents and get out. YOU and your ICE agents are the ones we do not want in our communities.
48
All you can do is try to insult and impugn those who wish to enforce law and discredit them and thereby discredit their objective of enforcing the law. And liberals do it on every issue. They never engage on the issue. They never debate the issue. They can’t. They won’t. They either try to shut you up, they try to shut down your rally, they try to overwhelm your rally, but they will never engage.
Watching little hamsters running in their wheels is quite entertaining.
4
It’s not ICE that’s the problem. The problem is that we deported someone who’s been here for 20 years! That’s insane, immoral, wrong, but the finger pointing should be directed and the Federal Government for continuing to take “pass” on dealing with this issue.
2
“particularly a fellow coming from Alabama talking to us about secession and protecting human and civil rights.”
Within the lifetime of many of us we've seen a governor of Alabama claim he was standing up to bullying by the federal government.
15
Regardless of the consequences, California must show a stiffened resolve to fight off any right wing, libertarian incursion into our State’s affairs by the chaotic government in DC.
18
Even when it means losing funding? You know, when money’s involved… When you threaten to take their money away, that’s when you get their attention.
“A federal judge in Northern California has declined a request from the California attorney general to block the Trump administration’s decision to withhold law enforcement grants to the state as part of its crackdown on sanctuary cities.”
In other words, a federal judge has allowed the Trump administration to withhold grant money from California as part of the crackdown on sanctuary cities. Judge William Orrick, He’s an Obama appointee.
Give the Judge a call, I'm sure he would like to hear from a fellow Californian.
1
There's that old saying that so California goes so goes the rest of the country. If California wins this fight eventually the attitude towards illegal immigrants will change throughout the country. But even in California there's tension between the two sides of this complex debate.
We are a nation of immigrants. Yet we've always had a love/hate relationship with immigration policies. At one point we allowed free range of movement between the US and the rest of the countries that make up our hemisphere. Just because our laws changed didn't mean that people would stop migrating for better opportunities.
President Obama removed more illegal immigrants than the last several presidents combined. He did so quietly, without fuss and focused his efforts on criminals. Part of the push back that Mr Sessions is experiencing is more about how he's going about enforcing our immigration policies. Americans don't want to have this issue forced down our throats in a public manner. This administration's approach has been messy, public, and cruel so people are digging in.
We will always have a need for immigrants. Our laws need to be updated and bipartisan solutions need to be found. But past administration's have managed to enforce immigration policies without irritating states such as California so Mr Sessions needs to step back and ask himself if his approach is the best tactic.
80
California will win a good portion of the argument. Gov. Brown has an unearned reputation as an flake, but there's a sharp legal mind under that bald pate. Proud to have voted for him.
3
So, it’s OK to deport illegal immigrants as long as it’s done quietly and we don’t have to see it? It was OK when Obama did it, but not Trump? That’s reprehensible.
I support full enforcement of our immigration laws, and I don’t believe the impact of this should be quiet or hidden.
5
"There's that old saying that so California goes so goes the rest of the country. "
I think that you need only to look back as far as Nov. 8, 2016, to come to the conclusion that this no longer is the case. Who would be in favor of having the government take so much from them in the form of taxes? Who wants to be saddled with so much public debt in the form of future payments to people who no longer even reside the state that is making the payments? Who wants to breathe L.A. type air? Who wants the type and volume of crime that is prevalent across the whole state? There is so much to not like about California today that wasn't even an issue 50 years ago. You know ... before liberals took over. They have a penchant for destroying everything that was once great about America.
2
If the aim here is for every resident/citizen of the United States to look like, sound like, think like and act like Jeff Sessions, then we are in deep trouble. His, and President Trump’s supposition that they are the archetypes of the American man, to be emulated and lionized is beyond my imagination, and preposterous.
17
Ironic a former Senator from Alabama claims that Federal Law "Trumps" state law. Yet Trump supported Moore who ignored SCOTUS decisions multiple times. All I can say is vote.. Register to vote, get everyone you know who isn't registered to vote registered. vote these frauds right out of existence across the nation. If we don't take our country back, there won't be a country soon.
29
California is on record as supporting the deportation of criminals, but ICE tactics have already proven to cast too wide a net, and wrench children from their parents. The California laws as described in this article are reasonable guards against an over-zealous federal police state.
I have lived here over 6 decades and have heard this anti-immigrant song my entire life. I have never known one person who could not get a job because it went to an illegal immigrant. If the federal government were actually serious, they would make it illegal to hire them, and arrest the employers forthwith.
But then, California is the "land of a billion vegetables" (see NY Times magazine 10/14/2012), and agriculture is a formidable power in our beautiful state.
Poor Jeff Sessions, sent out here in Trump's pathetic quest to punish California, the world's 6th largest economy.
35
"What if, (Sessions) asked, a state enacted legislation hampering the work of employees from the OSHA or the EPA? “Would you pass a law to do that?” he said."
OSHA and the EPA are indeed being declawed and neutered — by the Trump administration. Trump and his minions are the ones who are effectively "hampering the work" of those employees and endangering the health and lives of workers and all Americans. Chutzpah, thy name is Sessions.
84
We Californian’s must stand up against a tyrannical Federal Government! We have no choice, we all forget years ago how to go about cutting our own grass. When one lets themselves become helpless, even small things pose great threats.
4
I never understood why lawlessness and flouting federal rules are encuraged in California? Why be a part of USA and not follow the laws? In any other country sanctuary cities would be non-existent.
9
There are sanctuary cities in Canada, the UK, several other European countries.
Facts matter.
19
Agreed!
#calexit
Not in the UK. We have a very centralised state, and cities do not have such powers.
1
If the Trump DOJ was truly concerned with crime, endangered citizens and the obstruction of laws, they might first look at finding solutions for skyrocketing violent crime statistics in states such as Jeff Sessions home state, Alabama before firing a a shot across the bow at California, The deep south is hardly a bastion of sanctuary living for undocumented immigrants—yet states in that region are home to cities infected by abject poverty, where we find some of the nation's highest per capita crime rates. California Gov. Jerry Brown was correct when he called Session's speech a poltical stunt. But the Attorney General's speech was also a chance to showcase the Trump administration's shameful hypocrisy.
18
Just as rumors start flying again about Mr. Sessions job on the line he chooses to attack California's immigration policy? Isn't the one-man tariff war teaching him anything about the futility of trying to curry favor with his boss? If any state understands immigration policy it's California and Governor Jerry Brown. Back in the day it was farm workers and the first Brown Administration that took an active role in shaping policy in that large agricultural state. Mr. Sessions simply does not have the experience or the mental capacity for this fight.
15
I just find it interesting that right wing Republicans are obsessed with painting undocumented immigrants as criminals, but are noticeably silent about the actual law breakers in this situation - the corporations and individuals who thrive by hiring undocumented workers. Imagine if we actually held these companies and individuals to account for hiring undocumented workers? And I don't mean a veritable slap on the wrist and insignificant fine. The right whines endlessly about immigration, especially undocumented, but they never talk about why these people come to the U.S. - for the jobs that they know are waiting for them. Corporations and wealthy folks want these undocumented workers because they can exploit and abuse them for less money. If there were no jobs waiting, I guarantee the flow of undocumented workers into this country would end (and many of the ones already here would leave if they couldn't find employment). So yes, let's hold the law breakers accountable and start jailing all the corporate CEOs and wealthy elites who willingly employ undocumented workers, and shut down a system that encourages illegal activities, worker exploitation, while undervaluing labor. I won't hold my breath waiting to hear that line of solving this "problem" from any Republican.
22
You are blind if you think this is just a Republican problem. California has exploited these people for well over 100 years.
3
I wish this red state relic applied the same standard of "states rights" to CA he does for AL. He's a consummate hypoctite and fearmonger.
11
This requires counter-intuitive thinking, not "common sense" rote repetition.
The priority for public safety is for people to be willing to call the police to stop dangerous criminals and show up in court to testify. Anything that enhances with public safety needs to be prioritized.
We have long seen how the undocumented, as well as legal family members of the undocumented, are literally blackmailed into silence by dangerous criminals. So we changed the policies.
Police captured and removed more dangerous criminals when the policy changed from harassing all the undocumented to seeing them as concerned neighbors ready to testify in court to remove bad actors.
Sessions and the absolutists unable to comprehend why citizens of all backgrounds are upset about a lack of focus on violent criminals in their efforts to pad their arrest rates with non-offenders. We'll end up with legal immigrants, and citizens who look like immigrants, being targeted for harassment. The criminals will prey upon them without mercy knowing full well the victims don't trust the police. The police will no longer have cooperation of the community and crime rates will rise. Sessions will point to all the people he has arrested and declare success even as crime rates continue to rise.
Root cause analysis reveals Sessions is implementing an ineffective political response to a public safety issue.
8
They are illegal immigrants, not undocumented. If they weren’t here, then this issue wouldn’t exist.
2
I’ve read a lot of commenters pointing out the inconsistency of going after California for states rights getting too big for their britches while Texas nullifying cooperation on federal firearms laws is just fine, the seeming inconsistency of the viewpoints.
Here it is in a nutshell: as their dear leader has alluded to in his comments about the Chinese dictator— I mean, premier, the Republican Party is an a-republican party. They don’t consistently believe in actual norms befitting a republic so much as they believe in constituency groups that should be preferentially treated.
It’s why they are so bad at honoring the rule of law or even legal principles consistently from issue to issue: they aren’t believers in the rule of law. They believe in the exceptional status of their interest groups, with laws being written and enforced to give blatant favoritism.
Republicans are only inconsistent if you view them as a republic-focused party; this they are not. They believe in the rule of power, in which their interest groups are simply favored, fair or not, equally achieved or not, etc.
Why? Because like most orthodox people, there is a right way and a wrong way: it’s everyone else’s fault for failing to do or believe or accept things in the right way, and so they can be dismissed out of hand and ignored.
10
You believe that? Remember Obama? The federal government was not enforcing immigration law. So the governor of Arizona decided to write her own law that was passed, and all it did was enforce existing federal law, and the federal government sued them! They didn’t have the right. The states didn’t have the right, Obama said. They didn’t have jurisdiction over immigration law, that that’s federal, and so Obama judges ruled the Arizona law unconstitutional and told everybody to go pound sand.
Now when the Trump administration administration’s suing California, guess what California’s saying? “You can’t do that. What about states’ rights. Look at what you did in Arizona.” Yeah, and look at what you said in Arizona. You said states have no purview, no jurisdiction. It’s federal law. Well, the federales have arrived!
2
Republicans believe in states' rights except when they don't. They never believe in democracy. Random raids hurts states' economies and the lives of workers. Pass a comprehensive immigration policy and then work out how you and the states can work together. Mr. Sessions, I appreciate your spitting in Trumps eye, but you get no props for harassing illegal immigrants.
3
You would think Jefferson Beauregard Sessions would be for state’s rights
7
Just like Obama and suing Arizona over state immigration law. He told Arizona to go pound sand.
Ha ha.. When ICE goes to an Irish bar and nails the bartenders and servers with Irish accents. or a Chinese restaurant. or Tesla for that matter... we'll know this is about immigration and not Mexicans, central Americans and red bait racism.
19
Mayor of Oakland: “I know that Oakland is a city of law-abiding immigrants and families who deserve to live free from the constant threat of arrest and deportation.” By definition the “undocumented immigrants” are not law-abiding immigrants. This is surreal and stupid!
12
That’s incorrect. Undocumented legally does not mean they are here illegally.
4
It doesn’t mean they are either. There’s bad policy on both sides with the Undocumented, and/or, Illegal Immigrant in the middle.
So Republicans now support using federal power to take away states rights? Do they have ANY core values?
7
Core values rest in education system, which promotes upholding the laws (read: civic responsibility), and of course, providing English classes, so that people can Read the laws; and properly use definite articles, eg. the law or the(e) articles....
The GOP’s only values are $$$ and who pays them the most. The Koch brothers are saving billions in taxes and funneling a reported $400 MILLION dollars for this year’s mid-term elections.
Now you know who runs this country.
7
Sure, same core values Obama showed when he sued Arizona - Hypocrite much?
2
seems that Calif and some other states feel very safe in violating federal laws with regard to other subjects besides immigration. for instance state legislators and governors of the same states have conspired to violate federal drug laws and advertise the fact before and after passing laws that violate federal laws. have the attorney generals by their in-actions and failure of US Attorneys to prosecute politicians clearly in violation of federal laws given the very CLEAR message to people that they do not need to follow federal laws if they do not want to do so? proving cases should be easy. is our nation one of laws, but mixed enforcement?
2
The question you have to ask yourself is what are they preventing the federal government from doing? Nothing. What they are doing is not allowing the federal government for using state resources to enforce federal laws, something already upheld by SCOTUS in 2012. Sanctuary cities aren’t violating laws. The feds are free to enforce their laws. They just can’t do it using state resources.
9
No, Mr. Sessions, YOU have a problem. How dare you use that kind of language in public. Are you some kind of school marm or parent? Voters in CA have made their choices, take it up in the courts without adding to the overall vitriol.
26
I think California may have gone to far, but I don't like the Nations first law officer, Jeff Session, telling lies as a PR stunt. Am I in the minority that thought the Attorney General of the United States should not tell lies?
15
This is easy. Basically a white supremacist lecturing folks on immigrants, brown ones that is, well that's the problem. Even Trump dislikes this guy, not that it mean anything. They do agree on the Hate though.
22
About Sessions : The help is only as good as the boss !
9
Sessions, you can take your racist lies, and your hate mongering, and shove it! You have no place in American justice. Go back to the rock you crawled out from under it.
21
"Mr. Sessions announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration was suing the state over laws devised to make it more difficult for federal immigration agents to operate there."....I guess the courts will now tell us whether Sessions or Brown is speaking the truth.
11
I’m confused. I thought Republicans favored states rights.
61
do as I say not as I do.
6
Yes: the states have the right to do as republicans say, and to ignore federal governments that aren’t doing what republicans say.
6
okay and i thought the republican party was a law and order party. apparently they favor the violation of federal drug laws. why? money? afraid to prosecute politicians who clearly conspired to violate the laws?
1
Maybe this case will set a precedent that says a state is free to ignore federal law. Montana can ignore the endangered species act, for example. Is that where we want to go?
17
why not? some states ignore federal drug laws. money seems to talk louder than law enforcement. might as well throw in immigration, endangered species act, etc.
1
This case can't result in a precedent that says that a state is free to ignore federal law because that would be unconstitutional. Both the federal and state governments have their respective rights and limitations and a federal court should sort those out. While complying with federal law there are still many different things that states can do.
3
@john boeger: State laws can't override federal laws on matters of federal jurisdiction. The federal government itself had chosen not to enforce certain federal drug laws.
3
I live in California, and while I am not planning on voting Republican, I am still at odds with the Democratic tendency to make apologies for illegal immigrants breaking border restrictions and breaking immigration laws. Respect for US law must be a key requirement to demand from future US citizens. I have had to wait in long lines that I wanted to be shorter: at the grocery store; getting my BA, MA, and PhD degrees; to be able to buy a house. Life is full of long lines with many hoops to first jump through before an official at the finish line pronounces: "Congratulations! You're at the finish line." But that's life. People need to accept that the world is not perfect; California does not have unlimited wealth, food, water, housing, fresh air, schools, etc. to give away to whomever wants them. Life is full of limits, and one is an immature child if one cannot accept the fact of these limits. Stop letting illegal immigrants flout fundamental US laws to steal rights and wealth that are not legitimately theirs. We all need to wait in line to achieve our goals, and they can join the rest of us waiting in our own lines. Welcome to adulthood!
40
You're going to have to act like an adult and specify an actual person and the things you allege they have done for any of this rant to have meaning.
5
Cynthia,
i agree. i do not live in calif, but i do not understand this immigration mess. is our country in favor of illegal immigration or not? why doesn't congress mandate all employers must use the e-verify system? it seems to me that most politicians like to talk tough or not tough, but actually want the illegals so that many employers can threaten, extort, defraud, cheat, etc the illegals. this is sad and is merely dividing our citizens against each other. i think their are many US citizens making money off illegals. since an illegal can not in most cases get social security benefits, is our federal government improperly denying benefits to people who have had to make contributions under a phony social security card? is our government a part of the problem?
4
"...Stop letting illegal immigrants flout fundamental US laws to steal rights and wealth that are not legitimately theirs..."
Really, "steal wealth...steal rights?" What wealth do these guys I see standing in front of Home Depot steal? What wealth do those people I see from the interstate, bending over crops in the San Joaquin Valley "steal?" What rights is an undocumented immigrant "stealing?" I don't have this sense of anger or outrage against people who in my experience have proven to be hard working and friendly. What is your experience of these human beings that cause you to think of them as criminals? When I think of what I would do to feed my family if I had to, I have nothing but empathy for these "illegals!"
12
‘We Have a Problem’ says Sessions?
That is rich.
Sessions is PART of the PROBLEM. A huge part of the problem.
Mendacious, utterly partisan, and a right-wing extremist in badly-fitting) sheeps clothing
39
Someone explain how California will get a fair trial in a suit brought in a Federal court brought by a Federal boot-licker. Seems to be a conflict of interest.
Yes, friends, we do need a wall; around Washington D.C.
22
Jerry Brown: Session works in a cesspool of deception.
Truth at last.
41
Well that’s pretty rich coming from Jerry Brown.
1
California doesn't have a problem with the immigrants there and good for them not allowing Sessions to make up lies about them threatening public safety. The crime rate among immigrants is actually lower than of native born citizens. And they are also the only ones wiling to do jobs vital to California's economy, something made clear by the severe lack of farm workers since ICE started their aggressive campaign.
Plus California is fine with ICE going after and deporting those convicted of serious crimes. But when you start ripping families apart and deporting people who have committed no crime and are often the breadwinner in a family, leaving behind traumatized kids, you are actually creating more problems for that community.
And as a state's rights guy I'm sure Sessions is happy to let California decide what is best for it's communities right?
34
Legal Immigration is Not the problem...
4
Yes, we have a problem, and it ain't California.
60
YOU have a problem, Sessions. You're a bigot and a paranoid racist.
The rest of us don't believe your slobber-slinging propaganda, because we know and like our neighbors, no matter where they come from.
15
It is Sessions and the administration, as usual, who have it wrong.
Constitutional protections apply to every human being on U.S. soil—regardless of citizenship status. Deporting an individual who does not comply with immigration law is not punishing them for a crime.
“…All persons within the territory of the United States are entitled to the protection guarantied by those amendments [the 5th and 6th amendments], and that even aliens shall not be held to answer for a capital or other infamous crime unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”
—Wong Wing v. U.S.
“The order of deportation is not a punishment for crime. It is not a 'banishment.' It is but a method of enforcing the return to his own country of an alien who has not complied with the conditions upon the performance of which the government of the nation, acting within its constitutional authority and through the proper departments, has determined that his continuing to reside here shall depend.”
—Fong Yue Ting v. U.S.
California's Sanctuary State policies simply mean that no state resources (money, police manpower) can be commandeered by the feds to enforce immigration law.
The feds tried to force deputies in MT & AZ to enforce a gun safety law signed by Bill Clinton in 1993. SCOTUS found in Printz v. U.S. that local police cannot be forced “to enact or enforce a federal regulatory program.”
27
Dear California, how can I contribute to your legal defense fund?
46
easy - move here and pay taxes, while enjoying a fantastic state that is the sixth largest economy in the world
22
That's rich, the racist who gets humiliated by his racist boss regularly, wants to sue the sixth largest economy in the world. For not being racist enough. Brilliant.
120
I heard Mistah Jeff speak about her,
I heard ol' Beauregard put her down,
But I hope the li'l elf will remember,
Western states don't need him around, anyhow.
Sweet Home California.
45
Say what you will, but the federal government has supremacy here. We liked it when Obama administration poked holes in Arizona policy. This is a cut and dried issue of law. To change the policy, get something through congress or a new executive.
I find Trump and Sessions and their immigration policy repugnant. The law is on their side.
15
but the Federal Government does NOT "have supremacy". The Federal Government can NOT compel city, county or state employees or agencies to perform FEDERAL duties.
9
Please specify the exact law that is infringing on the feds rights to do their job.
4
No, it is not. State agencies are not required to perform the role of Federal agencies, which is what the Trumpistas want to impose.
Not specific to your post but while I'm typing: Let the record show, Secessionist-state Sessions says Federal law is supreme. I'm sure Republicans will be constant in that belief. Right? ohfersure...
8
For the republicans, States rights only matter when they are red states. Sessions hypocrisy is par for the course for the frauds occupying The White House.
25
I'm putting my money on the Ninth District. Cant wait to read another mangled motion by Steve Miller. How many is it now? Viva Gov. Brown. I hope New York delivers a sharp rebuke too.
26
We have a problem alright and the problem's name is Jeff Sessions.
32
Mayor Schaaf responds:
“How dare YOU vilify members of our community by trying to frighten the American public into thinking all undocumented residents are dangerous criminals?… How dare you distort the reality about declining violent crime in a diverse sanctuary city like Oakland, California to advance your racist agenda?
“Oakland’s agenda is a thriving community. Trump’s agenda is bigotry and vindictiveness.”
Keebler Go Home - Libby for Prez!
182
I think both the Federal and State governments are wrong.
1. The Federal government should never tell impose tasks on state governments and employees to help Federal employees do their jobs.
2. The State of California should never impose restrictions on local governments and businesses that might want to assist the Federal government.
3
I think every official - mayors and governors - need to place the issue, the blame right back where it really belongs: Congress. That body has refused for decades to create coherent and navigable immigration laws and policy. Until Congress acts, this scuffling between states and DC up will continue.
13
I understand what it is that Mr. Sessions does not like. He does not like freedom, unless he can define it!!!
24
We have a problem ,it’s true he lives ,now and then ,in our White House.He doesn’t like it there .So few gold “things”.The main problem is ,a racist cannot
Even pretend to know how to lead a Democracy,and neither can his racist
Attorney General.this seems obvious to me ,but then I’m not a racist.
16
Ignorant. Just like his boss.
How many mass murders were committed by immigrants? How many mass murders were committed by people that look like Sessions?
For public safety I would deport him back to Alabama.
49
Uh, minor point, but CA is not the bluest state. If you go by the election in 2016, Hawaii is the bluest state
13
Amazing how the GOP screams for states' rights when Dems are in the White House. Jeff Sessions is a proven bigot, and so is Trump. Stand strong, Cali!
50
Thank you our neighbor from the North. We stand united. Resist.
16
You either follow our laws or you don’t. If parents bring their kid(s) across the border illegally, guess who’s to blame years later when ICE comes knocking?
And yes, Federal law supersedes state law. Besides, matters of immigration are a Federal matter. Read the Constitution.
24
Yes, they are a federal matter, and that is why the federal government shouldn't be trying to force the state's to do the feds' job for them.
13
Where are they violating the constitution?
5
the state does not want to do the fed gov't work and in this case the fed gov't is meddling in the relationship between local law enforcement and the local community in a way that makes their job --public safety-- more difficult.
As for Sessions' point about other agencies---it's laughable considering that California also has to fight for the right to set high standards for environmental regulations--again California is on the side of public safety.
11
I wish all newspapers covered Sessions' activities with daily headlines above the fold. He is fulfilling His and Trumps' dangerous dream for white american. He is an atrocity carving out his horrible agenda.
21
'We Have a Problem' ???? Trump and Sessions are the problem!
19
Trump and Session AND Congress. Congress has refused to draft and pass coherent and meet-in-the-middle -- because that's all that'll work -- laws on immigration for decades. It rests with Congress. Lil' Jeffy, you go back to DC and shake your fist at those folks in the Congress and make THEM do something. Until they do, you can only rail and screech on all of this, but it won't do you much good.
6
Hi, Berkeley B. ---- Don't forget that the help is only as good as the boss.
3
Jefferson Davis Beauregard Sessions III didn’t finish his sentence; and no wonder. Spoken: “We have a problem.” Unspoken: “with Mexicans in this country.” He forgot to say “When they’re gone, America will be almost great again. We’ll turn our attention to other undesirables.” His official seal should feature the traitorous Confederate flag and its unforgiving stars and bars” reflecting his worldview.
26
Jeff has been sneaking up on all our states, he had him a swing through here in Florida. He visited a medical weed dispensary here under the guise of opioid alternatives. His real agenda was to get a look and start his plan at attacking marijuana as a schedule 1 drug. Governor Brown, he's coming at your economy too.
Let's hope these fools go down in flames soon. Trump compulsively tweets DACA, what would he have to say about WASPA, or plain looking Easteren European model green cards?
12
"Governor Brown, he's coming at your economy too." -- bring it.
We will C R U S H him
6
I kept waiting for his possum tail to appear.
13
Jeff Sessions says “There is no nullification. There is no secession.”? Irony is dead.
9
But hypocrisy rolls on.
8
Why doesn't California just buy Alabama---use it as a bargaining chip with our Attorney General.
14
Immigration is a national agenda. No one state can make up their own rules.
16
Strange that the state itself has noticed no particular problem with illegals. Session's words and deeds are cynical red meat for The Base. If Sessions really wanted to make a dent in illegal immigration he would arrest, fine, and jail those who hire illegals.
14
It's hard to "arrest, fine, and jail those who hire illegals" in a state which passed a law to fine employers who allow ICE to see their employees' records, which is one of the three laws passed in California that Sessions is suing CA over.
7
Our liberal rulers have informed us we are not to have a particular problem with illegals, we must follow the party line. You are right on your point about going after employers who hire them. At the very least, use e-verify.
3
The primary problems we in California have rest with Mr. Sessions, an admitted liar who holds a felonious grip on matters related to the truth, and President Trump, being a duplicitous official who needs a weather vane reading in order to establish policy be it related to immigration or trade, holding the highest offices in the land. These are the words coming from an Attorney General? You're welcome to leave our state's rights to ourselves by getting on the first flight out of here. We won't trample on your interstate commerce rights sir so please leave.
10
Unfortunately for you, Immigration is reserved to the Federal Government. The States cannot have their own immigration laws. They must obey the Federal Laws.
8
Unfortunately for your argument, Feds cant order city, county or state law enforcement agencies around. ICE agents are welcome to do their jobs, within their authority. But they are NOT allowed to demand that other (state/local) agencies perform their bidding FOR them .
So maybe ICE and Sessions should stop whining
7
But tbe federal government cannot require states to enforce federal law.
3
Mr. Sessions, if you want them, come and take them.
6
There is more than a modicum of irony in having a states rights southerner (Sessions) lash out at a state for daring to establish state laws contrary to a federal official's reading of federal law.
18
God bless Jerry Brown. And as forJeff Sessions? Wallace would be proud.
23
You do realize that in your analogy, California would be George Wallace, standing in the way of enforcing Federal law right?
3
If there isn't anyone to pick produce in California and Trump is picking on Mexico.l, where do the people supporting this move are going to get their produce? Florida can only grow so many oranges. Lettuce? Tomatoes? Oh, what about dairy? The Midwest has so many cows for cheese and milk. Even the farmers there are having problems finding "legal workers".
If you think the price of strawberried is expensive now . . .
8
We buy Earthbound Farms brand of organic spinach at Costco most weeks. Same spinach that Whole Foods carries but much less expensive. This was always from CA close to us. Last week I happened to read the label and it now states from "Mexico". It's already happening, not enough workers so they moved to Mexico. Glad some people in Mexico got jobs, especially if they had been deported. But think about this, what happens when Mexico raises the price and US adds a tariff? Very expensive produce.
4
Doesn't SF have farmers' markets where you can buy fresh, organic, locally grown produce?
Yes we do. And often it’s farmed, picked, and sold by immigrant families.
1
Here's hoping that Sessions quickly restores the rule of law in California and stomps on the sanctuary movement. There is no "state's rights" with respect to immigration. We are one country, with one set of immigration laws. There is no California border with Mexico. There is only a United States border with Mexico, one portion of which is at California's south end.
As an early step, Sessions should file Federal criminal charges against the Mayor of Oakland. She clearly obstructed justice and served as a look out for criminals. She may think she was performing a noble duty, but it was no different than someone alerting bank robbers to the cops being on the way. Make her the example of what will happen to sanctuary city/state politicians.
The scofflaw ecosystem has gotten so deeply established in California, it will be difficult to root out. But, finally, FINALLY, we have taken the first steps.
21
"but it was no different than someone alerting bank robbers to the cops being on the way. " -- bank robbery is a felony
1
And crossing the border illegally is a misdemeanor, and your point is? Are you arguing that crossing the border illegally is not a crime?
1
Many of the folks ICE was after are also felons.
2
Watching someone in the Trump administration insist on the rule of law would be comical if it didn't underscore the fragile and tattered state of our democracy. It's nice knowing that Sessions is regularly subjected to scathing insults from his boss; he deserves them all and more.
9
Yes we have a problem it’s called the electoral college.
14
if you don't like the law change it or win an election. I am surprised that even liberals could support nullification. I also want to hear how they will respect the courts when contempt; obstruction; and collusion are proven and lawful penalties enforced.
9
Did you not read the article? They did change the law and are enforcing it appropriately. It is Mr. Sessions who is mistaken as to the limits of the federal law. And now it will be up to the courts to decide.
5
Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, III, claims that the Feds can force States to enforce the Federal Immigration laws. He lost the same argument in Chicago v. Sessions in the District Court. He is likely to lose his new case against California as well. He will probably pin his hopes on the five right-wing, activist Justices on USSC
Justice Scalia and the four other right-wing, activist Justices in place in 1997 took the opposite view in Printz v. United States. The Brady Act required the Attorney General to establish a national background check system. Until the national system became computerized, interim provisions for background checks were established providing that state and local law enforcement officers must do background checks before issuing permits to buy firearms. Two local law enforcement officers challenged the constitutionality of the Act’s interim provisions. The issue presented was whether Congress can compel a state or local government to even temporarily implement and administer a federal regulatory program. Scalia wrote for the majority that the 10th Amendment prohibited the federal government from “commandeering” the cooperation of state governments in enforcing federal law. Those Justices also struck down the ACA provisions requiring states from taking the Medicaid expansion on similar grounds. Will the current 5 righties follow their precedents in this case? They are after all right-wing activists, so who knows? Stay tuned.
10
Back in 2013, the courts ruled against state laws in Arizona https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_v._United_States and Alabama, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/alabamas-immigration-law-permanentl... that mandated enforcement of (largely unenforced) federal law.
See https://opportunityagenda.org/explore/resources-publications/state-media... for a relatively comprehensive summary and assessment of contemporary media coverage of immigration-related events.
In 2018, the DOJ is actively engaged in an effort to counter a California law that, in effect, mandates state resistance to efforts by the federal government (finally) to enforce national immigration law See, e.g., https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/06/politics/california-immigration-lawsuit/i...
Media attention to similarities and differences involved appears to be lacking. Why? Quien sabe.
However, if Trump had been Potus in 2011, it seems unlike that the DOJ would need to be challenging California legislation, today.
2
The far right, with powerful players like Sessions, are going to stoke a Sates' Rights political identity among liberals with moves like this. For a hard line conservative Republican to say that "federal law is the supreme law of the land," is extraordinary, given that his wing has planted its flag on an ideology that despises Washington, hates the federal government, and thinks states always know better than 'big government.' The next few years will see blue states to argue for states' rights in the courts, and I'm not sure if this will be a positive development or not.
6
Despite the hysteria, California law enforcement agencies still honor all federal warrants and subpoenas. They do not contradict federal statutes, which are NOT the highest law in the land. That is the US Constitution, and the Constitution has specific powers for states and federal government. An Alabaman like Sessions who harps on state's rights should know that.
the three new laws basically boil down to (1) get a warrant, (2) get a warrant or a subpoena, and (3) California should have some oversight over detention facilities inside its own borders. That's rule of law, not letting ICE do whatever it wants, wherever it wants, whenever it wants.
17
I'm thinking those laws, which are under attack by the DOJ, have not been made totally clear to the public. The general reader, TV watcher easily gets stuck on Sessions and his campaign against "bad people who need to be removed from our town."
The issue of quiet, law-abiding but illegal immigrants who are picked up and detained on the way to being deported is rarely heard or given any thought. They're illegal, so they go out. And then there are the DACA students, who did NOTHING except come along, as kids, with mom and dad. They're illegal, so they go out.
Whoa. Wait just a minute:
Warrants, court orders, oversight: these are how we administer criminal laws and do investigations in America. Tossing them away is immoral and wrong.
1
Hey, Jefferson. How about explaining the immigration status of Melanias'
Parents. Chain Migration, or What ??? Or exceptional qualifications???
Really, I want to know.
113
As far as I know, Melania's parents are here on a travel visa.
If you have a problem with that, take it up with ICE.
I do not believe her parents have applied for US citizenship. They would have to be over 70 and retired, so they are not taking jobs from anyone.
1
Yo, Sessions! Why don't you go bother Alabama or something? We'll continue to support the country with our hard-earned produce & taxes in the meantime. In our native language: Vaya con dios, compa.
Go get 'em Jerry.
105
Trump has a plan; a plan of hate.He wants immigrants/brown people/non-whites to be a convenient target of hate for his right wing supporters.He whips up hate as needed every time he gets in trouble.Trump is tearing America apart.California is a cobvenient target; the solution; vote Trump/GOP out. Ray Sipe
18
Jeff Sessions' speech will be taken care of on Saturday Night Live. He does not speak for most Californians; He doesn't speak for most Americans. ICE raids are wrong. ICE deportations are wrong. Eleven million people living among us, contributing to our economy, for all other purposes citizens in our communities, have lived here for long periods. Indeed, 60% have lived here for more than 10 years, most of the dreamers have no contacts whatsoever with their birth countries, and many speak only English. Little Jeff doesn't have a moral fiber in his body. Yes, from time to time the press likes him when he stands up to the Idiot, but he, not California, is the problem.
31
Jeff, Time to give Mr. Trump what he wants and leave the administration.
Go back to to Alabama, maybe do some shooting at a log.
Perhaps up from the ground will come some bubbling crude, Texas Tea, Black Gold, oil The next thing you know ol' Jeff will be a millionaire.
The kin folk will tell him, "Jeff move away from there!".Then you can pack up the truck and move to Beverly. Hills that is, Movie statrs, Swimming pools.
Then Trump's inner circle will be reduced from a semi-circle to an arc.
13
The real problem is that Mr. Sessions has made it nearly impossible to have any respect for him or his Office. He's blown all credibility with stupidity like equating marijuana to heroin and opioids, and perjuring himself repeatedly of course (remember that?).
Now he just comes across as neutered and clownish grandpa spouting-off again.
31
I may have had to wait 50+ years after the Voting Rights Act, but the reward is watching Sessions reveal almost gut-splittingly hilarious hypocrisy.
For the greater part of a century, Jeff and his ilk had only one response to every single federal law dealing with racial equality, from voting rights to public accommodations.
States rights!
In this one petty little speech, he revealed what we always suspected about their commitment to this constitutional principle.
It turns out they meant a state's right to do the specific things THEY wanted to do.
What about California's state's rights, Jeff?
Go ahead, make Jerry Brown's day. C'mon big man. I'd even sign up for pay per view.
43
There is absolutely no "state's rights" with respect to immigration. Immigration is solely a Federal responsibility. The Obama administration made that clear when Arizona attempted to merely ENFORCE Federal immigration law. Finally, Sessions' Justice Department is going after California, that is trying to THWART Federal immigration law.
8
That is exactly how the ultra conservative Republicans that run our state (mostly off tax proceeds of the urban liberals and moderates) treat the matter. The scream small government and limited government whenever the Feds calls them out for their unconstitutional legislation. But what they really mean is they want to be the ones that impose their will into our daily lives without the big bad Feds keeping them in check. I mean how is DUI and .05 small government? How is requiring restaurants to post signs on their window saying "This is not a bar" small government? How is requiring women to watch anti-abortion videos before getting an abortion small government? How is forcing car dealership to close on at least one weekend day, small government? You are dead on. These people don't care on whit about small government or states rights. They are hypocrites through and through.
3
Not to put too fine a point on your dumbness, but states' rights as a component of a federal system is a valid view, but explicit federal law overrides states' rights, again as normally understood as a component of a federal system. Frankly, Sessions should not have proceeded civilly against the state and the governor and state AG, he should have arrested the state AG for conspiracy to interfere with the valid execution of the federal law, which he surely did. So Sessions is a statesman engaged in incrementality, usually a mistake, at least in dealing with America's Chechnya, the formerly great state of California.
4
Let's talk about the 500-pound gorilla in the room. San Francisco, Oakland, and New York are not limiting their police departments' abilities to work with ICE because they are anti-American. They are doing it because it is the decent thing to do. They don't believe in condoning illegal immigration, exploiting the immigrants' labor, and then ripping their families apart. All of the energy that goes into debate over how to treat the symptoms of our broken immigration system could be used to establish a system consistent with......what's that thing......oh yeah, common sense. We need to secure our border, while also recognizing that immigration CREATES jobs, and remembering that our values obligate us to help those who are seeking asylum, including unaccompanied minors.
15
Mr. Sessions is a racist thug from Alabama who is not welcome in the great state of California. As a native Alabamian, I am eternally thankful to be out of Alabama with its long history of defying federal laws and treating so many groups poorly. I always felt that so many in Alabama were never able to get over losing the Civil War. It is rich to hear Sessions claim that federal law is the supreme law of the land when he has defied the law on so many occasions. This man has no business serving as USAG after lying during his confirmation hearings. I am hopeful that Mr. Mueller has his sights on him and that justice will be served. I have nothing but disdain for this hypocrite and deplorable man.
55
Oddly we did't have Trumps draconian laws under Obama and he earned the nickname deporter in chief. These laws don't make managing the problem with illegal immigration easier they were passed to appeased the hater in the GOP. As many have stated this will drive people underground, aggravate crime by making people reluctant to speak to police. It was passes for one reason the satisfy the anger of GOP Whites.
8
the difference is Obama deported criminals
2
Out here in California, we do not have a problem. Mr. MaGoo and Trump have a problem.
26
If California doesn`t want to go down with the rest of the United States, Californians must openly discuss and act on a secession plan. There is no point in pretending to be what we are not. California is an advanced state, on par with Germany, Switzerland or Japan. California is centuries ahead of the vast swaths of Medieval America Sessions represents. In fact, Sessions` America has more in common with Sub-Saharan Africa than with California. This is no exaggeration, but a sad statement of facts. California today reminds us of Florence in the Renaissance, while Trumpist America evokes images of Spain at the time of the Inquisition. For the World`s sake and for California`s future, let`s split, please.
9
Politifact had an article on 1/20/17 titled “True: California has the nation’s highest poverty rate,when factoring in cost-of-living”. An excerpt is below.
"This week, State Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes called poverty California’s No. 1 priority during a forum of legislative leaders in Sacramento. Mayes, who represents parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, claimed the state’s poverty rate is higher than any state in the nation when considering factors such as cost-of-living. "If you look at the official poverty measure in California, we’re about average with the rest of the country," Mayes said. "But if you use the supplemental poverty measure, we are in the lead. We have the highest poverty rate in the nation -- higher than New Mexico, higher than any of the southern states, Louisiana, Alabama, higher than Idaho.""
4
It didn't work for Chechnya (not to mention the South in our Civil War) and it won't work for California.
3
As if a Republican might actually care about poverty. His point might be? But then Republicans at the Federal level work overtime to hold wages down, eliminate pensions and healthcare and worker protections.
1
Yes! We do have a problem, two bigly ones: Trump & Sessions.
15
As a long time, and legal, resident of California I request that the state pass legislation protecting me from the federal IRS.
17
Well, don't worry. No California official will arrest you for Federal tax evasion. Just as no California official will arrest you for violation of Federal immigration law. That is the point. Federal law is enforced by Federal officers, not state officers.
2
mlj ... but perhaps California can pass legislation prohibiting state agencies, employers, investment advisers domiciled in the state from voluntarily cooperating with federal IRS agents in the absence of judicial warrant upon pain of financial penalty.
Silty Said, Immigration clearly falls under the Federal purview, and it is perfectly sensible and just to expel illegal immigrants convicted or suspected of serious crimes.'
Does anyone believe ICE may arrest illegals who are not felons?
5
Yep, I have a problem too! Where in the world can you be an illegal immigrant, get free education, welfare and healthcare AND break the law and be protected? California of course! I AM a citizen, pay taxes ( that goes to the above aforementioned) and I DONT break the law. At this rate, I should be thrown in prison! California has lost its mind and needs to be institutionalized.
27
All of our taxes pay for many things we don't agree with; that's how taxes work. Do you have a personal problem with immigrants that have happened to you? I would say more crimes have been committed against me by home-grown USA folks than by immigrants, illegal or otherwise.
6
This is all about the Trump administration doing everything it can to beat down blue states. Of course, we all know that blue states essentially subsidize the "taker' red states, but the abuse must go on. Sessions is a disgrace as Attorney General, much the entire Trump cabinet.
17
Does Sessions have no sense of irony? Does he not realize how much this sounds like Roger Taney attempting to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act? Will he cite Dred Scott v. Sanford in his brief?
7
Liberals only want mass legalization of third-world immigrants for the votes. It's that simple. Without post-1965 immigrants and their descendants, Democrats couldn't win a single state.
18
only citizens can vote, and the only reason we dont win each and every POTUS election is the archaic electoral college, which promises sparsely populated states a grossly unjust amount of electoral votes
1
you're a native american? if not, your vote and all of your ancestors also came from immigrants. "third world" being your code word for people of color i assume?
1
Says he who actively promoted the candidacy and continues to support the presidency of the most unqualified, unlawful, and untruthful occupant of the office of the presidency.
Says he the avid supporter of "states' rights" when it comes to civil rights but not when it comes to immigration, drug reform, or sentencing.
Says he who has the nerve to call himself a christian while actively dismantling, undermining, and opposing the truly christian acts (charity, care for the least of us) of others.
Says he who stands idly by while our democratic system, institutions, and elections are attacked and undermined by foreign actors and treasonous elements within his own party and executive branch.
Says he who, by his own acts, inaction, and statements, now lacks any credibility on constitutional, legal, moral, and religious issues.
Says he who judges - yet will be judged.
6
California has problems. Right now it is the Trump flaccid administration that is trying to force States to use their funds to do the job of the Federal Government. If they succeed, States foot the bill, the tinker toy White House takes the credit and they do not need to raise federal taxes to pay for it or cut back on one of their wall sections. A pin head solution to a solvable problem, again.
5
The rule of law and its equal application replaced by the rule by the individual- based on whim and feeling.
Citizenship reduced to a bribe passed out by corrupt political parties with the intent of forming a more controllable electorate and to create artificial majorities.
A planet dying under the weight of 7 billion humans- each one laboring under the belief that they should have unlimited resources and the ability to have as many children as they want.
The last decent countries swamped by economic migrants who care only about making more money. The flow so vast that no square inch of land will be left untouched as swarms of humanity destroy our last natural places and our entire collective future.
You cannot help everyone.
8
Much of the South didn't like it when the Feds sent in troops to enforce de-segregation. And, of course, they didn't like the results of the Civil War either.
Sessions is right, Federal laws trump State laws, regardless of whose in control of the Whitehouse.
California would not support another state passing segregation laws and if that happened we'd expect, no, we would demand that the Feds intervene.
The solution is to change the laws at the Federal level not to flaunt them.
10
CA is NOT passing any laws that discriminate, restrict or otherwise demean human beings. That's the province of Red states...
4
And some wonder why some are arming themselves against a federal takeover. I'm not one of those--yet, but I'm beginning to see their thinking.
2
We do have a problem, several actually: the main occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., his team, millions and millions of people uninterested and/or uninformed about the issues facing our country, to name a few. Republican voters clam they want to get all the illegals out of the country, but they don't want to pay for it (raise taxes) so Republican politicians come up with the bright idea of trying to pass the expenses along to the States. THAT is what is at the heart of this issue: the Federal Government is trying to get states to spend their resources doing the job of Federal Law Enforcement.
69
I'd like to see Sessions take on the states that have legalized marijuana...Maybe congress would finally make it legal.
8
Be careful what you ask for. It could be that this is not too far away.
1
I hate the Trump administration's actions in this area. I think that this country will suffer deeply for its actions against immigrants - even those who arrived illegally - under this administration. I would change the immigration laws to facilitate legalization of their status. I am a granddaughter of immigrants, and I believe that any human being who cannot recognize our moral obligation to these people, whom we have collectively exploited for the benefit of our economy, all the while reviling them for their purported use of services that they cannot even use, is lacking any moral compass whatsoever.
And yet, I do not think the states can act in violation of federal law. There is a fine line between not acting in support of federal efforts, and acting in violation of law. I am not certain that as a legal matter, California has broken the law, but if they did, I fear that the bigoted, heartless, mindless, soulless people running the federal government at this time may win this case.
14
You know that any win by the Feds in this case will go to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, where it would be overturned. Then we have to deal with red-meat SCOTUS. Fun times ahead.
"And yet, I do not think the states can act in violation of federal law" -- we aren't
"California has broken the law" -- we haven't
2
So many here who don't have any idea what sanctuary status means. All it means is that you can't force local law enforcement (paid with local dollars) to act as Federal agents. Period. All other arguments about amnesty or "civil rights" are moot and only show a complete lack of understanding regarding the issue. ICE is free to arrest those it thinks are lawbreakers but you can't force the local sheriff to do that job for them. Local authorities don't enforce Federal law, they enforce local law.
149
Exactly. Just like local police don't arrest people for the IRS.
10
Despite being a Californian, you haven't kept up with what California has actually done. They have moved way past the "don't make us act as agents of ICE" stage to passing laws that actively shield illegal "immigrant" criminals. Read down to the bottom.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-trump-california-immigration-20...
6
As a sanctuary state, our "leaders" provide illegal aliens with free legal services to fight their deportation, as well as preventing ICE from seeing employees' records, among other obstructionist tactics to make it harder for ICE to enforce immigration law.
5
Let's be careful about depicting California as some sort of outlier rogue state. Public opinion polling has consistently shown that the majority of Americans are for granting dreamers citizenship and against the waste of government resources to break apart families that have been contributing to our economy - for decades in some cases. On the other hand, Jefferson Beauregard Mr. Magoo Sessions was a pariah as a senator, with no allies even among the most conservative and reactionary in that chamber. As Gov Brown pointed out, California has the legal wherewithal to take on the federal government. It also has the economic and human resources to cut itself off from the welfare states, like Sessions' home state of Alabama, and to forge its own path as a world power.
25
When I think of those poor children escaping violent and corrupt central American countries I want to cry. The torture, rape, and kidnapping sadden me. The execution of children in front of their parents is simply too much to imagine. (And that's just what I've read in The New Yorker.)
Be careful, California. You're being led by "valley girls".
2
what do you have against women? and what do you have against people from the San Fernando and San Gabrial valleys who happen to be female?
Our government is quite biploar when it comes to the rule of law. You can have a gun, but Driving While Latin is cause enough for a traffic stop. If you are Latino than a search warrant is no longer required to enter your home or property. People have a right and should resist this wholesale abuse of the Bill of Rights. It is the patriotic thing to do
19
So federal law is the law of the land is it? Except of course when it comes to abortion rights, LGBT rights, voting rights...you get the picture.
21
I agree but it cuts back towards immigrant rights as well.
“The Trump administration is full of liars,” he added.
This should be the daily headline of every real newspaper every morning.
37
It's time for California and other economically robust, diverse and progressive states to stop sending federal tax dollars to Washington, only to see those dollars redistributed to struggling, backward 'red states,' like Mr. Sessions' own Alabama, Mitch McConnell's Kentucky, et alia.
Those same 'taker' states pound the podium and holler 'local control' and 'states rights' for themselves.... except when a state chooses not to buy into 'Christian evangelical,' racist, xenophobic, gun-toting extremist nonsense that right-wing Republicans attempt to foist on the unwilling via rigid, paramilitary style federal government control.
Imagine if instead of ICE agents in full SWAT team regalia raiding restaurant kitchens, farms and private homes to root out deportees, the BATF were fanning out to confiscate clandestine assault rifles, ammunition and other destructive accoutrements of right-wing sociopathy, and Alabama were standing in the schoolhouse door resisting the 'tye rannicul fed'rul gub'mint.' What would we be hearing from Mr. Sessions then?
22
So its states rights until its the blue states wanting rights....
got it!
22
I hope that the illegals that California loves camp in the back yards of all Democrats without paying rent, use their utilities without reimbursing them, eat their food without permission, and flout other laws meant to promote an orderly society without any consequence. We'll see then if the Democrats welcome them. Good fences make good neighbors.
14
Something there is that doesn't love a wall.
It isn't Mad Max out here.
5
Not going to happen because most of them are hard working, productive people.
9
America, we have a problem (in case no one has noticed)!
3
Yes we do! Hard working folks from other countries are being repressed! They also don't make very much money, harvesting all your food.
3
Repressed? Hardly. In California they are the new protected class. Now everybody else is repressed.
I know for a fact that not one single Republican, nor any person that any Republican knows will ever displace a job by an undocumented worker. That’s what this is all about to the GOP. It has everything to do with the GOP’s fake perception of jobs being displaced by Mexicans. This has nothing to do with criminals either. It is a fact, and extremely well documented, that undocumented workers have a lower crime rate then native born Americans. Sessions can go home. He quite literally has absolutely no idea what he’s getting himself into here. California is a big boy state. Sessions is a Keebler elf.
11
Sorry Jeff, it's not "WE" that has the problem.
10
Bless Jerry Brown for standing up to The Man.
43
"Bless Jerry Brown for standing up to The Man."
Rubbish. Jerry Brown sees future votes for the Democratic Party, nothing more. Like PT Barnum said, there's a sucker born every minute...
6
Or in this case, standing up to Kreacher the House Elf.
1
except "The Man" cant use either on US citizens
"Federal law is the supreme law of the land,” said Mr. Sessions, a man from Alabama, a state that has been championing states' rights for the past 160 years in order to justify enslaving and discriminating against an entire race of people.
47
Considering his origins and past positions, Mr. Sessions is a bit hypocritical invoking nullification and states rights in his law suit.
Nevertheless, it is absurd to believe that a country cannot and should not control immigration within its borders.
It is also immoral to allow these illegal immigrants to be exploited by employers paying them off the books and at below market wages. This is nothing more than black market in illegal labor.
The US needs a national identity card that everyone must obtain to identify themselves as citizens or legal residents.
In every country I have lived and worked you had to register with the government in order to legally work in that country. Some of those countries such as Italy and Luxembourg are well developed some such as Libya and Nigeria were not, but they all required proper documentation in order to have a job. If you overstayed your visa, you are deported and not usually allowed to return.
Why is it immoral for the US to enforce the same kind of laws?
9
I'd like to see Devin Nunes and Kevin McCarthy who both come from farming communities that utilize migrant labor have to say about this. I can tell you one thing for sure, I don't see a lot of white people picking strawberries/lettuce/artichokes around here.
407
Not true. Nunes is well known for cherry picking data.
1
I think you might very well be right about Kevin McCarthy...
As for the Traitor Nunes, he would likely take his stand only after consulting with the Russians.
Jane said, "...I don't see a lot of white people picking strawberries, lettuce, artichokes, around here."............or mowing lawns, or washing cars, or working on landscape crews, or pouring foundations and framing homes, or opening Mexican restaurants.
Let's face it. The Mexican culture is as much a part of the American culture as Apple Pie!
1
Law “is in the books, and its purposes are clear and just. There is no nullification, there is no secession. Federal law is the supreme law of the land"
Interesting statement considering he is from Alabama. We could use some of that to insure voting rights, equal opportunity, and a president who doesn't flaunt the laws in the books just to name a few.
8
BTW, AG Sessions. I forgot to ask in my previous post how well the strict undocumented workers law in Alabama worked? Great support, I assume? Especially from Alabama agriculture? The law is still in effect and vigorously enforced?
Just askin'
3
Conservatives always favor local control over federal "Washington-centric" control.
Except when they don't.
5
Illegal immigration is one of the deleterious forces that has wrecked havoc on the country's labor, middle class, and comunity. There have been few positive aspects of illegal immigration, but on the whole illegal immigration functions as scab labor force within a nation. Insult to injury, the earnings created from illegal immigration labor get remitted out of the country to foreign country if origin. The winners are businesses who hire illegal immigrants and corporations who own those businesses. One unspoken fact if illegal immigration, particularly from Mexico, is the engrained culture of corruption these cultures bring with them to the United States. Also, these illegal immigrant cultures do not believe inn the American ideal of equal opportunity - once the illegals get in into an industry, they shut American born workers out. You really wonder why we have the worlds most powerful military, but cannot protect our society from invasion from Mexico.
I whole heartedly support Trump administration and Jeff Sessions here. Emboldened California politicians think they are above Federal Law, and similar arrogance extends to all bureaus of government in California, from Public school systems to local City government.
I pray that Trump and Sessions are successful in rolling back California's laws and ability to shield illegal immigration sanctuary cities. This is because I live my country and I love my fellow Americans and want to see them prosper again.
16
There are problems with illegal immigration. The solution would be legal immigration. The conclusion that it is an invasion from Mexico is not the strongest one. Clearly business and agriculture and consumers have a vested interest in cheap labor. Businesses and agriculture like it being illegal because they can avoid labor laws as well, which hurts hurts all workers. American workers who don't get hired and undocumented workers who get taken advantage of. Consumers are complicit because they are addicted to cheap products. Paying fair wages will involve paying more at the cash register. Now, especially in agriculture, many American workers don't want the back breaking work. A strong legal worker system would address this. It would need to be set at that sweet point wherein demand meets supply. The immigrant workers would get the respect and more job safety. it would undermine the corruption. Wages would increase and maybe more American workers would be attracted.
Its an interesting psychology in placing blame on Mexico. If the demand is here with our businesses and consumers, isn't that our responsibility. Kinda like with the drugs. If US citizens are creating a demand for a market, why do we blame the market that grows up to supply it?
5
I don't think you're going to see increasing prosperity with King Lear in the Oval Office. His Isolationism and willful ignorance don't make a good combination.
Wow. One of the most informed comments here. Truth, and thank you.
What a wonderful government. An isolationist President unilaterally starting a trade war—impulsively, with no more calculation or input than the last Tweet. And a one-issue Attorney General with a vendetta against our country’s most robust, creative economy.
4
I know that if someone that I cared about was attacked.
I would want any witness to that crime to come forward.
Without fear of deportation.
7
Most Californians support our state government's policies and laws, rejecting the direction of the Trump Administration. Sessions and his ilk should not be worried, however. Few immigrants, legal or otherwise, move to the South and areas where the population is hostile to their presence.
And what about states' rights? Is a state not free to choose the extent of its cooperation with federal authorities, as long as it's not breaking federal law? I guess states' rights really only matters when we're trying to prevent blacks from voting.
4
You are incorrect. Perhaps you should google immigrant populations - legal and otherwise.
6
For Jeff Sessions to come to California and plant this flag is highly unusual. This is not just about his administration trying to win a legal battle--they can sense this issue is their next Hillary Clinton/Pelosi/deplorable bogeyman, and they are going to ride it through the November elections and beyond. As passionate as many Democrats feel about this issue, the idea that our legislators are backing the interests of illegal aliens over our own citizens is red meat to the GOP and Fox News, and they know how much it resonates. Look at these comments--even many Times readers agree that this is a losing position that has been staked out. This is not an easy issue for Dems to pivot on, and I regret to say it will cost us votes and Congressional seats.
4
[I regret to say it will cost us votes and Congressional seats.] I'm not sure at all about that. The idea of independent-minded folks pushing back on an overbearing government from Washington, DC, has gained a lot of political traction in recent years and before!
1
Sowing fear that the ICE officers are in needlessly in danger is absolutely absurd. Most of these undocumented people are humble, peaceful law abiding individuals who are actually paying income taxes and helping the economy of California and the United States. For those few deviant migrants that are criminals we are quick to boot them out. The undocumented do not have access to government social services, unemployment or healthcare. What's more California has only 2.5 million undocumented in a state that has 39 million people. The state pays more than its share of taxes to the Feds and helps feed our nation. Curious, the likes of Sessions are usually touting state rights, but now he is looking to pick a fight with us. If we as a state choose to humanistic and compassionate that is our business... let us be.
198
You joking? Over 2.5 million undocumented in Los Angeles county alone.
8
As soon as the illegals have babies (which the taxpayer usually provides for the costs related to), they have access to ALL social services and benefits. Their healthcare is taken care of too, that is if they're not using the Emergency Room at the hospitals.
Each state alone can not individually decide who they may keep as citizens.
8
Ah, but undocumented immigrants have access to significant social services i.e. free ER care; WIC (WIC doesn't check immigrant status); federal community health centers (don't check status; insurance not req'd); free school meals (schools don't check status). Illegals citizen children are, of course, legal recipients of social services including food stamps; housing vouchers.
10
Cut the states' rights nonsense. While it's well settled law that a state can't be "commandeered" by the federal government, the Supremacy Clause also prohibits states from actively interfering with federal prerogatives. The state can decline to assist immigration enforcement agents. It CANNOT prohibit private employers from voluntarily cooperating.
8
Which it has done, with a personal threat by the state AG to arrest those employers who do fulfill their federal obligation but violate this impermissible state law. Sessions should have the state AG arrested.
4
Didn't the issue of states deciding whether or not they have the right to ignore federal law whenever it pleases them get finally get settled in 1865 at Appomattox? Or was it in 1954 when Eisenhower ordered the segregation of southern schools despite state law?
3
Criminal alien lookouts, I mean Democratic politicians, in California are in trouble.
13
I love how Republicans proclaim the States Rights in defense of those States that take Rights away from Citizens or pass laws that dictate what women can do with their own bodies. What California is saying you can't use our resources to harass citizens & non citizens alike. Jeff Sessions go crawl back into your small minded hole in DC or better yet Alabama!
8
Sorry John,
The great state of Alabama is better off with Mr. Jeff sessions out, hitherto being kicking puppy of Trump.
It is truly amazing and amusing to see how Californians (where other Western states like Oregon and Washington to name two have informally adopted the slogan of "don't Californicate [insert name]") have the huevos (a wee bit o' the Espanol for Californians) to make fun of Alabama, just like a'hole New Yawkers make fun of Jersey. I mean, having some guy from Queens or Crooklyn laugh at Jersey is beyond funny. Ditto Alabama for shitheads from California, land of the perpetual traffic jam and illegal immigrant.
I thought the Republican Party was a proponent of states rights and limited federal government.
Go Home Jeff! Go home to the sorry state of affairs you came from. Drain the swamp in Trumpland.
5
Good boy, Sessions. Maybe the tyrant you work for will notice that you gave Fox News a distraction from that treasonous meeting his Secretary of Education's brother had in the Seychelles! Fox & Friends can report on your meaningless rant at an entire state and not talk about what Mueller's up to. Maybe your mean girl boss will stop berating you for a few weeks as a reward.
12
Gov. Brown should threaten to secede from the Union, I wonder if constitutionally they can.
2
They might want to look back to 1861-1865. It didn’t go so well for any state back then!
1
Dear Mir,
No we settled state secession back in 1865 when South Carolina tried it with a number of other states. The Civil War, as it is known as, ended in 1865 and the seceding states were re-incorporated back into the Union. Occasionally, some loudmouths in states like Texas, California and New York get on their high horse and say they would be better off not being part of the USA, but it never comes to anything. It is absurd, rather like Catalonia trying to secede from Spain.
3
I guess it is not like in Canada where the Provinces can vote and if majority votes to separate they can separate, Quebec nearly did a few years back, maybe we are more democratic.
Yes, Jeff Sessions, we do have a problem. You are not a member of the Dine or any other Tribe are you? You want to talk about undocumented immigrants? How about Christopher Columbus.
You were too racist to be a Judge and now you're AG and you have the nerve to scold California for not wanting to persecute immigrants -- most of whom are here, by the way, because Americans paid them to do jobs Americans don't want. You want to stop this? Start locking up the employers who hire these workers. That would be more effective. But I never hear you talking about that, because that would mean punishing the white people who caused this.
You're the problem.
13
There are no jobs that Americans don't want or can't do -- for fair wages.
2
Hooray!!
This is the United States of America, not the unites states of mexico.
If California (a.k.a. northern-mexico,) wants to harbor millions of illegal-immigrants, then they've got to expect consequences for their subversion.
Moonbeam is right -- it IS a war against California:
Cali started it, and America is going to end it.
10
When poor Americans along the Mississippi Delta area are cured of hook worm and California's inland extreme poverty is addressed and poor children's nutritional needs are met, talk to me about helping ILLEGAL immigrant s obtain food stamps, health care and housing vouchers.
11
It’s amusing that you believe all of those problems can be “solved”. Issues such as those are never solved, but rather mitigated. Thus, you have presented a strawman and I have knocked it down for you.
1
Get the facts. And whose fault is it that the folks along the Mississippi Delta have hookworm? COuld it be those who "resisted" the ACA and the expansion of Medicare (i.e., the Republikans?).
3
Sessions, you do not have 10% of the intelligence or power of Gov. Brown. Most of the country is eagerly awaiting your demise as Gov. Brown's swan song...
5
Illegality is illegality. You don't get to choose what laws to obey.
Liberals need to wake up. If someone has broken the law and is here illegally, then....
13
Illegal aliens don't have a "civil right" to remain in the USA, and they certainly don't have immunity from any other crimes they may have committed simply because they're the in vogue political tools of the Democratic Party.
25
Wow the bots are out on this one in droves. I guess they are worried about California votes in the next election and trying to stir up more trouble on a "hot button issue".
3
Forget Mr. Sessions. Forget President Trump. Take the emotion out of the equation. Bottom line: if you support sanctuary cities then you support open borders .... or, if you support sanctuary cities, might you really be supporting the people (illegals) who allow you to enjoy the lifestyle to which you've become accustomed.
10
There is no such thing as open borders. It is a fantasy that never existed.
1
California laws do not attempt to give illegal immigrants the right to live in the US. They only attempt to protect the right - enunciated in the 4th Amendment - that entry to private premises requires either consent or a warrant.
Sorry .... missing your point.
We have a YUGE problem.
A Russian FIS/SVR sleeper cell is operating out of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and the Attorney General is more worried about his racist assault on reason and putting black guys in prison for having weed.
Our White House top secret documents are regularly handled by people who cannot get a security clearance because their criminal business dealings make them easy targets for blackmail, but the Attorney General is worried that a state is acting in a humane way in concert with core American values instead of breaking up families and destroying lives.
We have civilians murdered wholesale with the tools of war and the Attorney General is worried that some migrant farm worker does not have the right piece of paper.
THAT is the problem
15
John:My recommendation to EB is that, in order to retain credibility, it should demand a higher standard of scholarship from would be commenters.Hypothesis that cannot be excluded is that it will run anything provided writer is anti Trump. "A sleeper cell out of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave?""Faites pas rigoler!""Humane way with core American values?" There is a Constitution, our government, and sanctuary cities are a violation of it? That is a "core American value!" Hunch that you are a tenured educator.
1
We have a problem. His name is Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III. He longs for the Old South of white supremacy where people of color were slaves and social inferiors, had no rights, and were subject to physical violence if they even hinted at resistance.
7
Tom: Now how do you know all that since you have neither met him nor interviewed him, and are not privy to his innermost thoughts. Stereotyping AG Sessions because he comes from 1 of the original states of the Confederacy indicates lazy scholarship, and unfair. Studied at U. of A.in 1950's, classics in fact and U. of A had one of the best departments of Latin and Greek.. Also strong in southern regional history as was Tulane where I transferred to. Unless you have lived "down home, down yonder,"known the south of "faded R.C. Cola signs and rusty gas pumps, " all gone now by the way, you really cannot claim to understand AG Sessions or the milieu of which he is a product. There is the RULE OF LAW, and sanctuary cities are in violation.Trump admin. wants to restore a sense of ownership among the populace, sentiment that citizens come first, and that we all respect the Constitution.You have to have known the south, lived there to be able to comment meaningfully.Read southern authors like HARNETT KANE, SHELBY FOOTE, CHARLES ROLAND(my adviser at Tulane) and you will gain a deeper understanding of AG Sessions and what he is about!
2
Where was all your "rule of law" talk during the Obama years? Besides, you can't honestly say "rule of law" and Trump Administration in the same paragraph. His is the most corrupt, dishonest, disingenuous, and dysfunctional administration ever. So please don't lecture us on the likes of Jeff Sessions. We know a racist and his actions when we see them.
Straight Knowledge: Ad hominem arguments and pejorative adjectives when applied to anyone in public life, whatever the party, indicate to me a certain intellectual flabbiness, laziness as if name calling were an adequate response to an argument.. Why don't you consult the works of the southern writers noted, and then we can exchange ideas.. Consider also that stereotyping someone because he comes from a deep southern state and is descended from a Confederate general is unfair and not informative.Everything 1 writes should be a learning trip for,others. Otherwise, what's the point?Examine all sides of an issue. George Wallace, unfairly characterized as a racist, was elected then re elected twice to the governorship of Alabama, and his supporters were African American as well as whites. One African American voter declared, when asked why he voted for GW, answered, "He's one of us! Southern politics has never been either black or white, but chiaroscuro.
Tanks and troops; is that what is next? How does the Mother of Exiles speak out of both sides of her silent lips?
The rhetoric from Jeff Sessions eerily sounds like a veiled threat. Its very curious that he brings up "nullification" and "secession." Maybe we should tart to look at those option seriously rather than submitting to a government controlled by the Kremlin. California, New York and all the blue states should do absolutely everything within their powers to fight this illegitimate and treasonous administration.
7
Sessions, stop wasting my Federal taxes. I paid for you to fly to California and paid for you to announce in California that you were suing my home state. You have a right to sue this state. However, you and your boss continue to waste my money with these Federal investigations and lawsuits. Stay home and save the tax money I was obligated to give you for creating jobs and protecting innocent high school students from crazed shooters.
10
Jeff Sessions has a problem. He has lied under oath and was involved in the Trump transition team's contacts with Russia. He is part of the nationalistic right wing
faction that detests immigrants that may have darker skin tones and seeks to treat these decent human beings like criminals. Sessions just seeks to inflame Trump's base voters with anti-immigrant policies and has forgotten that America is a nation of immigrants and that most of the immigrants have families with American born children and contribute greatly to our economy.
Just shameful! It reminds me of fascism!
7
Go, California! We in Hawai’i, and the rest of the Blue West Coast, are with you all the way!
12
Mr. Sessions, if you're really that worried about lawbreakers who are putting citizens at risk, please start with the inhabitant of the Oval Office, then move onto the rest of the cabinet. No expensive plane trip to CA needed.
23
What about the 11 million illegal immigrants?
A sanctuary state cannot be based on getting immigrants to inform about crime to officers without fear of deportation. That's a weak case for an inside out government in relation to the federal government.
3
California is making a mockery of our immigation laws. And by extension, it is mocking those who wait patiently to enter legally and sbide by our laws when they arrive.
I'm really sick of that state.
26
Then I suggest you don't live in it. Please recognize that California is a milk cow federally feeding all the addicted, skill-free, education-deficient, "disabled" and demanding populations of the states you'd probably like more.
1
History will show that the end for Jeff Sessions will not be pretty. Bring it on!
8
Immigration law is in the Federal domain. Gov. Brown can make all the heart moving speeches he wants but it still will not change the law.
Perhaps it's lost on some but the issue will be adjudicated in the federal court system. California will loose.
11
California is “loose”. Maybe it’ll lose the lawsuit.
1
Jeff Sessions does indeed have a problem, in fact, he has many problems. Not only is he at risk with his employer, he's managed to lie under oath repeatedly and obviously. I don't think this story ends well for Jeffy.
23
Good job Mr. Sessions. It's about time that someone cracked down on the Californian miscreants who break federal law. Arrest the leaders if need be.
16
Yes! Start in the WH- 45, Jr., Kushner for starters
4
Oh man, the Trumper authoritarian fantasies are heavy with this one.
2
Yes, Mr. Sessions, we do have a problem. When we snatch parents from their children, when we force "Dreamers" who have been here for most of their lifetimes, to live from day to day, never knowing when they will be kicked out of the only country they know with probably the only language they understand, we have a big problem. Yes, secure the border better, but we have completely lost our heart and decency with the over-reactions we are seeing now towards mostly decent, honest, and contributing members of our society and we should be ashamed of ourselves. You, Mr. Sessions, are a huge part of the "problem."
61
Barbara Wilson, you are so right. It is downright repulsive the way these people are treated. He says, "We have a problem". Sessions, YOU have a problem because there are many people in Calif. and over the US that totally disagree with you. I don't think they are going to be silent..... Stand behind you in California!!!!!
2
Mr. Sessions, California voters have been well aware of the fact that "we have a problem" since November 8, 2016. You didn't have to go to Sacramento to personify that problem.
53
Good one. 100% true
4
“This is basically going to war against the State of California,” Mr. Brown said.
This is not only a war against California --this is a nation-wide civil war that has been festering just beneath the surface in this country for some time, and more recently has surfaced with a vengeance. I'm not sure how best to define the adversaries --certainly not strictly by region --but it's fairly easy to predict where proponents of either side will stand on any given issue --"sanctuary cities" being an obvious example. It is really a fight for the soul of America, and a great deal hangs in the balance. I can say that "my side" is not winning that battle at the moment. But there is hope. Let's make NOV 2018 our Gettysburg.
8
Did California Governor Jerry Brown just say in response to US Attorney General Jeff Sessions lawsuit regarding sanctuary state laws “This is war?” Exactly what many have suspected all along. The Democratic Party has taken up with illegal immigrants and declared war on the United States, right? So when I see the protesters with the sign that says ICE out of California, Gov. Brown by declaring “war” is siding with tose with similar views. Can you Imagine the reaction from the press if Trump had said this?
19
I can imagine it would be cast aside the next day as all his inflammatory statements are. Why? Because everyday is a new low for our president.
2
The problem "we" have is that Cali is successful under a Democratic government, and the GOP can't stand it.
112
Pensions funded? Didn’t think so. Massive income inequality, homeless everywhere, illegal criminal gangs, horrible schools. But hey, the weather’s nice.
9
I support Sessions and the Trump Administration on this wholeheartedly. My home state is essentially lawless.
18
No nearly as lawless as Sessions home state is. A state with a glorious history of thumbing its nose at American Laws. Laws the racist and haters best friends unless they find them inconvenient,
3
Wine Country Dude...The rest of the country is not lawless as well? Pleeeeze. We have a criminal-in-chief who has stiffed his workers and customers and escaped prosecution because he could afford to hire lawyers who were more sleazy.
3
Have to say, much as i detest the Trump administration, the Democrats who push this "Sanctuary City" idea are wrong. Immigration is a Federal area, most Americans feel it has to be better controlled, and chasing Hispanic votes at all costs is going to result in even more bad election results!
27
CA law does nothing to stop federal officers from imposing federal law. CA law just prohibits expending state resources to enforce that law. And it stops CA employers from assisting in workplace raids. This protects CA employers from coercive federal threats. Jeff Sessions tried cutting funding to CA and that has failed. Now a lawsuit. Well, bring it on. The more energy this administration spends on lawsuits, the less actual damage it can do.
7
Sanctuary City laws were enacted because the Federal Government is trying to force States to do the job of Federal Law Enforcement. Both sides appeal to the social aspect in their spin, but it is primarily a financial issue.
2
What ever happened to states' rights? Isn't that the conservative mantra? If they started and demonized the EMPLOYERS of illegals, in no time at all we'd have a guest worker program in place....We don't have a guest worker program in place because then the workers would have rights and demand a reasonable wage. And, the biggest lie is that they're taking jobs away from Americans...Do the math: we are at near-full employment, even people who can barely mange to move a broom have jobs and there are about 20 million illegal workers in the US...exactly how does that claim and the reality of these numbers jive?
12
Immigration is federal.
That is because once a person is within the borders, we do not require visas to move about the country.
For a good example, see the EU.
2
we also have a Supreme Court which will decide the questionable constitutionality of this directive....so far Sessions hasn't been doing very well with that. And, if immigration is federal, why has that AZ sheriff been such a love object for Trump? even after he was thrown in jail...so much much for this administration's respect of federal law.
3
Texas passed HB 1076 which prevents state officials from cooperating with federal officials on any new federal firearm laws. In a nearly identical case, Printz vs United States the Supreme Court stated, "Finally, and most conclusively in these cases, the Court's jurisprudence makes clear that the Federal Government may not compel the States to enact or administer a federal regulatory program." So presumably, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If Texas or Montana officials don't have to enforce federal firearms legislation then California officials don't have to enforce federal immigration law.
188
EXCELLENT comment! Thank you.
1
Two wrongs do not make a right.
1
Pure hucksterism. There's no "radical open borders agenda" and no danger to law enforcement. Interesting that the "states rights" shoe is now on the other foot.
13
Real cute. For Sessions to bring up nullification and secession, two words previously associated with the pro-slavery South featuring Session's home state of Alabama, his speech writers were too clever by half, and they only served to remind us who the real secessionists are in this country.
Tell you what, the way California has prospered and thrived under Jerry Brown's leadership is one of the more impressive achievements in our history. Given a choice of whom to trust, I will choose Jerry Brown over Jeff Sessions every day of the week.
460
Sessions is right. Laws as laws. Imagine if a Southern conservative state refused to enforce or cooperate with the Federal Govt on Affirmative Action or other law during Obama's presidency.
If Democrats cant be objective about this, then they are just as obdurate as Republicans have proved to be.
28
You are joking, right? None of us have to imagine a Southern conservative state refusing to enforce or cooperate with the Federal Government.
Have you forgotten Roy Moore, Kim Davis, the lawsuits against University of Texas, Scott Pruitt suing the EPA (the place he now runs)? And on and on.
23
Yes, and the problem is Sessions. And Trump.
12
What a laugh! What do you think the South has been doing for the last 30 of those years with their attempt to unravel the Voting Rights Act? We all know it's about politics not law. So tasting a bit of your own medicine is not inappropriate.
23
California, what we've got here is failure to communicate-- Attorney General Sessions. Who are we casting as Luke? Brown? I think Becerra or Newsom may better channel the late Mr. Newman.
2
Federal law must supersede local law in all cases. That is our Constitution,the basis of our Federal Government. It is, what is cited time after time -- "We need a Federal Law on - choose subject." It is not a matter of pick and choose. If a locality does not wish to make it easy to comply, they can tell their people that all legal standards must be met, but those standards can not be invented simply to be obstructionist, nor does the locality have to be active participants. BUT....
School desegregation started, Little Rock Ark. when the National Guard was called to enforce Federal Law over the opposition of local government. Simply because the cause then was "noble" and the cause today does not have that cachet does not alter the principle upon which the first action was based -- Federal Law.
4
Not true. Federal law only supersedes STATE law in areas that are granted specifically to the Federal government in the Constitution. All other laws are reserved to the states. This is fundamental Constitutional law. And you also are misinformed about the CA laws that Sessions is speaking about. They do not conflict with federal law. CA has the right not to use its resources to enforce federal law. None of these laws prevent the federal government from using federal resources to enforce federal law.
4
So-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions are not actively contravening federal law in the way local officials in the south did during desegregation. They are simply refusing to confuse their mission with that of ICE or to spend precious local resources on a federal function.
2
Yes it is good you remind Sessions of Alabama that Federal laws supercede State Laws. They spent 150 working on workarounds. Historically California has been a far more law abiding state. A man from a state that spent 150 years degrading people, lectures a state trying to protect people. Only under the deplorable TRUMP and his hated brigade within the GOP.
I though the GOP was a strong proponent of "states' rights."
20
Liberals forfeited any right to claim states' rights on this issue when they eviscerated Proposition 187. They argued fervently that the federal government alone creates and enforces immigration policy; they won in court; and conservatives respected the rule of law and the result.
Would that Jerry Brown were as gracious.
7
Only when it serves them. Sessions is from the States Rights Capital of the US, Alabama. Used states rights to humiliate and degrade US citizens for 150 years,
How ya fixed for blades, Occ? Yours seem more than a tad dull.
"Take a day and walk around.
Watch the Nazis run your town.
Then go home and check yourself,
If you think we're singin' 'bout someone else."
"Plastic People," Frank Zappa, 1967
This just in. Non citizens are NOT considered citizens. We have procedures that millions have followed over the last 100 or so years. When a state decides that it has the power to grant citizenship to people who never even bothered to apply for it?... Yes We have a problem And California can not win this case. If they do? Then ANY state can grant citizenship to ANYONE! That is insanity.
19
Except for the part where CA is not granting citizenship to anyone, this post is completely accurate.
2
So I guess California now thinks it is its own country and can make its own laws despite what the Federal law of the land is? If they can do it then so can the other 49 states as well. If you are asking for utter chaos---this is it. California needs to put up and shut up or else secede from the Union. It is not a law unto itself any more than the other states are, despite its obviously narcissistic point of view of itself.
16
Narcissistic? It's the economy stupid. Please, California is 39 million people strong; we pay tons of federal taxes and our agricultural fields feed much of the country. What's more we have been the leaders in technology and you can thank California for the power of your cell phone. In fact California ranks among countries-- we have the 7th strongest economy in the world. We could indeed could be our own country. Meanwhile Kansas economy with only 2.6 million is a fiasco. It is being being subsidized by California federal taxes. If we ever seceded it is the rest of the country that would be sweating, not us.
1
I wonder how the Oakland Mayor, Libby Schaaf, can look in the mirror and see an American? What would this woman be willing to get the Hispanic votes? How low is she willing to go?
17
All she needs is to do a comb-over, and then she can be whatever she wants. Works for Donnie, right?
1
Jeff Sessions is simply furthering his mission of turning the Justice Department into the Just Us Department, where LBJ's truth is writ large, and protected by law. Poor, uneducated, unmotivated, and under skilled white folks should not be forced to compete with any of those other people, much less all of them. Noncompliance will not be tolerated, and California is to be made an example of. You can, though, as a rich white person, have hired help that would not pass the paper bag test. Jeff Sessions will make sure you pay as little as possible. Servitude is acceptable, as long as everyone knows their place.
“If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.” Lyndon Baines Johnson
27
Nice soliloquy but it has nothing to do with Californian obeying and enforcing the law. If you don't like the law, win some elections.
7
While I loathe the Trump administration, particularly Sessions, and our dysfunctional immigration system, I disagree with the sanctuary state concept. Immigration is a national issue and our country has a right to control its borders. I don't think there's nearly as much support for this sanctuary status as California's leaders seem to think. The law that tells private businesses they can't let ICE onto their premises without a warrant is ridiculous and will be struck down. There's no way a state has that authority.
90
The press has indeed not focused on those of us in California who do not agree with the sanctuary City concept. We have been ignored and de Leon would do well not to forget this.
6
On the contrary it seems to me that we are requiring ICE to abide by the Constitution which provides us due process.
6
I'm glad you loathe the Trump Administration, particularly Sessions, and our dysfunctional immigration system. Way to go! Now let's fix it!
Yeah, we have a problem, California did not vote for Trump so its settling scores time....
Remember early in the Obama administration when they helped get BILLIONS of dollars in relief money for the Deepwater Gulf spill in 2010.....Imagine if Obama held grudges like clown Trump, he would have said something to effect well you southern states didnt vote for me, so clean up your own oil mess....
57
That might not be a bad idea, as the southern states are the ones that tend to be in the pocket of the fossil fuels industries and benefit from the jobs they provide (while the damage they cause effects all of us).
1
What does it say about your country when one of your states refuses to participate in arresting and deporting individuals who are in the country illegally? It says you don't HAVE a country!
26
States do not have to participate. Immigration is a federal issue. If a state choses not to abuse human rights in the illegitimate application of federal laws then so be it.
2
It says this is not the country in which I grew up and I'm ashamed of what it's become under Trump. Truly ashamed.
So... the US was not a country for the first 100 years or so? Because we didn't have any laws excluding any particular class of immigrants before then.
What a champ, huh? Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, of the lower South, boldly puts California peace officers as human shields between himself and undocumented immigrants. I heard that he did not tell the whole truth in his confirmation hearing, so what makes him think that he is to be trusted now?
15
“But California, we have a problem. A series of actions and events have occurred here that directly and adversely impact the work of our federal officers.”
Yes Mr. Sessions, we do have a problem. The direction that Federal Officers are receiving from this administration and the Justice Department are heartless and decidedly un-American. And here in California we aren't going to stand for it. We are Americans committed to democratic principles and values and we reject your cruel attempts to remake ICE and the judiciary into gestapo like forces.
53
Jeff Sessions was all about states rights when he was fighting against voting rights for minorities in Alabama but now he is against states rights for immigration and marijuana.
267
Complete rubbish. States don't have the "right" to shun federal law and knowingly harbor and provide sanctuary for illegal aliens, much less give them inside tips on police actions to enforce immigration law. Your analogy is just tawdry emotional manipulation.
4
Good for California. And particularly Mayor Schaaf.
The Trump Administration has lied so often regrading Immigration, that it is impossible to take Sessions seriously. He and Trump stir up controversy and fear with their constant mis-information and hateful rhetoric.
They and their families were once Immigrants. And some of their families were racists, as well as criminals and they both appear to be racists and criminals as well.
They are both the worst examples of Leaders who are constantly stirring the pot of racism. They should not be allowed to serve in any position of power.
Session lied to get his appointment to the Attorney General's post. Trump lied his way to his post as well.
Why should anyone believe anything that these two have to say about Immigration or any other subject for that matter.
They are both bring disgrace to the offices they hold.
86
Alas, the GOP simply cannot find a consistent policy on 'states rights'.
It appears that if a state law regulates business or protects individuals, that federal law preempts..... but if the state law is more permissive to businesses, or more limiting to individuals - then state law takes precedent.
Here is a simple solution to the whole immigration issue: return to what it was in at the turn of the century - the 20th century, that is. At that time, if you could afford passage to Ellis Island, you were examined for communicable diseases, your papers were verified to assure that you were not a known criminal, and you were welcomed to America. We welcomed over 1% of our population as new immigrants each year, up to WW I. To put that in perspective, if we had the same policy now, we would be welcoming almost 4 Million people a year, instead of under 1 million. People wouldn't need to be here illegally, as 4 million a year would accommodate the demand.
Our current immigration policy exists to provide corporate America with cheap labor, and the Republican party with an issue to rouse its' base.
221
If they all wanted to move to Oklahoma with you, maybe your idea would work for a few years. But they don’t. Population growth in places like NYC and California is exacerbating food and home prices and straining infrastructure and social services to the breaking point.
And then there’s the environment. The USA has the world’s third largest population already. Tell me you drink the tap water in India or China.
Sorry, Pollyannas. It’s not WWI anymore, and the choice is between immigration or the environment.
Choose.
7
I don't think it's desperate immigrants causing increased costs of housing.....
1
Not all immigrants came through Ellis Island. In the early 1920s, my stepfather's parents simply walked across the border from Mexico, seeking work on Northern California's farms/orchards. Back then, no one cared. As now, California desperately needed workers to perform ill-paid, back-breaking work that few Americans are willing to do.
1
We have a problem and his name is Jeff Sessions.
16
The irony Sessions scolding California on immigration. Coming 3000 miles to address. When Florida had school shooting crisis -where was he?.Was he pushing gun control? No because they leave it up to the states. But immigration is his hateful conviction that he'll travel to ruin lives not save them. Ridiculous premise. Ridiculous Administration...........
103
"Federal law is the supreme law of the land." Unless you're a Bundy.
189
Here's a clue for you Mike. Cliven Bundy was all set to be prosecuted under federal law, but a federal judge - appointed under the Obama administration by the Democrat Harry Reid - dismissed the case because the prosecutors bungled it and willfully violated Bundy's rights to due process. I suppose you don't care about such things when due process is violated for people you don't like, but thankfully most people have a higher universal standard of ethics.
5
What irony. A lecture on the law from a long-time bigot and potential defendent in the biggest scandal in America history. The less we see and hear from Sessions and any of Trump's hypocrites and sycophants, the better we like it.
70
Red meat for the (large) base, baby, red meat.
3
Mr. Sessions, have you forgotten that you are conservative, which means you believe that state's rights trump (pardon my vulgarity) the federal government?
33
Undocumented aliens in California shouldn't be too smug. You can sneer at legal immigrants and US citizens only for so long before the government comes to hold you accountable for deliberately violating the rule of law.
11
That may be true when we have a functioning government, but we don't. As far as I'm concerned, Sessions visit to California on the taxpayers' dime, was unwarranted, and he should personally pay for the air travel, and any hotel and accommodations.
Diatribes like this are why Sessions was willing to sell out his pride to Trump.
7
Mr. Sessions is lucky that he was not incarcerated on his visit since he is in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other agencies that, as a matter of policy, violate California law, Penal Code section 538d which makes it a crime to claim to be a police officer, or wear any clothing that says "police" when, in fact, you are not a police officer.
2
Let's be honest, this was never really about immigration. Trump's policies are pure circus for a group of individuals looking to blame someone other than themselves for three decades of outsourcing, global competition, and income inequity. Bait and switch.
19
You mean a group of individuals who are unemployable because they can't function in a modern workplace because of their backward views of pretty much everything. So they blame immigrants.
Well, no I do not, not really. You might. Some individuals certainly are that way. Others have tried to reinvent themselves endlessly. But what I mean is that immigrants are the scapegoats for greed, poor policy making, business decisions made with only the bottom line considered, union busting, and the general march towards what amounts to indentured servitude. That is what I meant.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/06/26/us/scotus-immigrationlaw-a...
Haven't we been down this road before? Is this not the same premise, the Supremacy Law governing federal authority to enforce immigration laws as the Federal government proscribes it? Or are we getting into the same weeds Arizona tried to do by twisting the language with new California laws that circumvent the authority of the sovereign laws reserved for the nation over the state?
3
Until the immigration system stops relying on people being undocumented to function, it's ridiculous to call people 'illegal'.
Significant parts of the process to get documents involve living while undocumented, in the US, waiting waiting. No one verifies that you leave when your visitor visa expires, and meanwhile if you apply for a different status you just have to wait. You can't leave, because you have no legal status to return under. Since that's built into the system, people set up lives here, and arresting them is like arresting someone for waiting their turn.
So many wonderful people are already here, integrated into our society and economy. What do we truly gain by harrassing them for their status? Threatening them with deportation and ripping their lives apart? How would you feel if it was you? It doesn't make our country better. It's shameful to create a trap for those seeking opportunity and then treat the trapped with such disdain.
Start with fixing the system so it doesn't leak. That's about process, not walls. Then give robust legal status to folks who are here. Citizenship or green card. Once there is no legitimate reason for being undocumented, deportations make sense. And stay up to date on them, because a backlog becomes inhumane.
Until the immigration conversation focuses on just treatment of people, rather than criminalizing ambition, I heartily support California's thoughtful defense of the real people who live here.
4
Republicans support States Rights! Huh? Uh, oh, never mind.
2
We have a problem. And its name is Jeff Sessions and the rest of the administration he's a part of.
8
If Mayor Schaff is so sure all the immigrants in Oakland are there legally then why the warning? So tired of all these kooks virtue signaling and campaigning while endangering federal immigration officers.
7
Sessions lied to congress? Yes? Never mind, he is above the law.
5
Whatever the topic, can we please stop the stupid “going to war” rhetoric? This will involve lawyers in business dress slinging precedents and insults, which is far different from war.
1
Are you kidding? I live in Idaho. All I hear from Republicans is state's rights, states rights. They want federal land handed over to the states. They want their own abortion laws. They don't want federal Medicaid for the working poor but when it comes to immigration, they yell, Federal Law!! Unless you are talking about the illegal migrant workers in the agriculture business then they don't want Feds interfering. The Republican party is giving me vertigo.
175
Don't let 'em. Become an activist and give them vertigo.
When it comes to important issues like civil rights, we hear about states rights. Now blue states are bing told they can't or shouldn't care about their people's welfare. The hypocrisy of the republicans makes me want to retch.
3
The country is now in a cold civil war where this time maybe the blue secedes.
There is something deeply disturbing about Jeff Sessions. Yes, I could go on and on about his racist and ignorant views with specific examples throughout history but I would be preaching to the choir.
Rather, I'm becoming more concerned with his overall motivation and goal. Does he really think it is possible to ethnically cleanse the melting pot that is the USA? Because that is the dark impression he is giving to our country.
7
This from a weasel who repeatedly violated federal law against lying while testifying before Congress under penalty of perjury.
6
Get off our lawn, Mr. Sessions.
101
Mr Sessions, no secession? Don't count on it. Calexit!
1
If that happened, I would immigrate there in a heartbeat.
Yes we have a problem. It is with closed minded inhumane conservatives who keep us from progressing and solving problems. Leading by threats of tearing apart this nation is despicable. They are obviously playing to their base. Stop the chaos by getting rid of Sessions and tRump.
4
New Democrats never reach a point on illegal immigration where they’re satisfied with the current state of affairs. They’re always pushing to advance the next agenda. Currently, that movement takes the shape of an open borders policy where people can come and go as they please, as immigration laws simply won’t be enforced. Invariably, the neo Democrats will advance an open voting system as well where anyone who happens to be in the country can participate in the voting process. An example of this is Proposition N in San Francisco, which gave the right to vote to illegal immigrants who had children in the city. These voters will vote for the first time in November of this year and will quite possibly ensure that the debate on immigration will be resolved forever.
11
I think it's important to note that they can vote for School Board Elections only. You may or may not agree with this but this detail is important to your argument. Which gets a bit weaker, I think.
3
They do not have the right to vote in state or federal elections, just school board elections. Which of course makes sense because only citizens have the right to vote, something I, as a recently naturalized citizen, seem to know but you seem to overlook in favor of scare-mongering about "illegal immigrants ending the immigration debate" and so on. Perhaps native born citizens should refresh their knowledge of the basics as far our government and country (oh, it's mine too now by the way) work.
4
Sessions' condescension towards California is reminiscent of when he dismissed Hawaii as some island in the Pacific. Sessions is using red state/blue state politics to lash out at those who defy the Administration's ideology.
So much for Sessions having any deep respect for the states.
92
So much for California have deep respect for the law.
7
Then quit acting like a Blue State & obey the law. Problem solved.
8
Sounds more like Mr. Sessions is trying to avoid being fired by jumping on his boss' bandwagon. He has learned diversionary tactics from Mr. Trump. Next, he'll take up tweeting in the early hours.
1
CA is doing what is right to push back against the most damaging administration we have witnessed in modern times. The administration has become a rogue state of its own, way out of touch of the wishes of the American people. They are not working as a cohesive unit nor are they appointing people who have proper credentials to manage the executive Branch. And that starts right at the top. Good hard working career politicians are leaving in droves. They are either not being replaced or being replaced by inexperienced workers. It is a real sorry state our executive in chief is getting us into. All the while living in complete denial.
5
Quit talking AG Sessions & start making arrests. The California politicians who flaunt constitutional federal law belong in prison. Suing them takes away time from enforcing the law & allows the influx of illegal immigration to continue.
Yes, State's Rights is important -- VERY important -- but the Constitution clearly gives the federal government the power to regulate interstate traffic & protect our nation from invasion. DO YOUR JOB, Mr. Sessions, & start arresting these people.
15
The thing is... here in California the majority see no problem with the influx of immigrants. Through stimulating our great economy that trickles down into the rest of the USA, and encouraging new generations of global citizens; Immigrants either “legal” or “illegal” benefit California in a way that I would hope every single state in our nation would as well.
4
John Morales Castillo: no state can set its own immigration law that conflicts with Federal laws. The Supreme Court has already ruled on this. It has nothing to with whether the majority of Californians "like" illegal aliens or not.
A state wide vote on whether illegal immigration is good or bad would be interesting, but carry no legal weight. Federal laws rule.
1
Mayor Schaaf's decision as it relates to this lawsuit and the inevitable appeals and SCOTUS decisions will be discussed in law school textbooks forevermore.
Bad facts (in this case, municipal decisions) make bad law...
1
I'm glad as more and more evidence comes out that a foreign enemy is threatening our democracy the justice department has their priorities straight.
It's the migrant workers and legal weed we should fear!
14
Childish at best. You want to pay for all the Medicaid bills? Oh, your snark won't pay them. That is what I thought.
4
Or maybe someone from San Francisco has more of a stake in these matters than someone from New York. There is also the matter of me, me, me, me, me. Sometimes others don't think like that.
While states' rights, like beauty, is most often in the eye of the beholder, Trump is setting new standards for vindictiveness.
BTW, how's that tunnel going, NY & NJ?
6
Good for Mayor Schaaf, Gov. Brown and Att. Gen. Becerra. Sessions needs to understand that proper protection of the citizens of California requires all residents, regardless of their immigration status, to be comfortable participating in the rule of law, including bearing witness when that is needed. Immigration restrictions are a Stalinist relic, and Sessions' shrill demands that they be enforced is reminiscent of his southern ancestors' insistence on the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave laws. He should go back to Alabama.
6
When the Feds and the States have conflicting laws on a topic assigned to the feds either implicitly or expressly by the Constitution, the federal law is supreme.
Federal law on border control is not at issue here. Nor do the Feds have the power to suddenly convert all issues regarding immigrants to matters of federal jurisdiction. No eyeglasses could ever hope to cure Mr. Magoo's confusion on this point.
The federal government is expected by precedent and tradition to secure cooperative agreements from the States. If they cannot do so, they are out of luck. Maybe they could try a constitutional amendment.
2
Maybe Mr. Sessions should focus on the relentless attacks that Trump and Congressional Republicans are waging on FBI and by, extension, the Justice Dept. If he can't properly defend his house he has no credibility in laying out lawsuits elsewhere.
4
What is the California law's end game? Open borders? If that's the goal just say so. If not, then what is a reasonable alternative to the present situation?
15
One of the reasons for the sanctuary laws is public safety. By removing the fear of imprisonment or deportation, law enforcement has the ability to build community support which, in turn, provides information that assists with the apprehension of dangerous felons.
Supporters of sanctuary laws also believe strongly in not needlessly tearing communities of otherwise law-abiding, tax-paying immigrants apart, but instead support a more humane and sensible approach to immigration.
5
Thank you for replying. I am really trying to understand but when you say a more humane and sensible approach to immigration. I don't know what that looks like. Should people who are otherwise law abiding but broke the immigration law be allowed to stay? How does that play out? Do we say anyone who broke the law before a certain date can stay and after has to go? Or does everyone get to stay or everyone has to go? I don't think I am the only one who doesn't get it. I'd like to see a concrete plan. This back and forth with no solution is not doing anyone any good. It's one of the reasons Trump was elected. He was able to exploit middle America's fears and sense of right and wrong. I can see what you are saying about sanctuary cities, I don't agree with you but I can see your POV, I don't think anyone should live in fear, but I do think everyone should obey all the laws. Including federal immigration laws. But either way, there has to be a less inflammatory term than sanctuary. That one drives people like Sessions bonkers. BTW I can absolutely see how this issue is being used to divide and pit poor people against each other. It's working as planned.
6
I always thought Sessions was a big support of "states rights" against an "overreaching" federal government. I guess "states rights" only applies when opposing civil rights for all people, environmental protection, worker safety, and any other part of the "liberal agenda". All of a sudden Federal Law is the surpreme law of the land and Sessions has sold out the states.
Cannot say it I am surprised.
498
There is something called the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution. There is of course inconsistency on both sides depending on the issue. But there can be no question: federal law is supreme and controlling when it comes to immigration law.
1
Devil's advocate here says that we progressives have long relied on federal institutions like the supreme court to force backwards states to desegregate / allow women reproductive rights and the like. This administration is absolutely awful, but let's make better arguments than arguing for anti-federal "states' rights". We risk both being hypocrites and losing the right to argue to insure all American's rights are respected even in said states.
3
AG Sessions is right, we have a problem, with an administration that doesn't respect people that have given up everything to come to this country to make a better living for their family.
He should be working with the states and congress to come to some form of agreement that benefits both the immigrants and the nation.
Make this a win, win scenario Jeff.
10
If the courts rule against California, I hope the Governor of California will say something like “Californians all know we have "morality" on our side and the Pope agrees with us. California will follow the "Mitch McConnell precedent” which is that we do not have to have to abide by the court’s ruling until after the next Presidential election.”
10
The mayor ought to be very, very afraid. Anytime criminals are tipped off about impending law enforcement action, lives are at stake. I would not want to be her if something happened to an ICE agent.
18
ICE agents belong in jail. They would be safe there.
3
Most of the people being rounded up by ICE in California recently were non-violent folks with no criminal record save for their presence in California. ICE and Sessions have totally overblown the actual risk of violence that these heavily-armed ICE agents faced. The same way they scream "national security" to justify the evisceration of civil rights, etc.
4
Correct me if I am wrong but did not the Supreme Court tell
Texas and Arizona that Immigration is a Federal Concern ?
Can any explain to me how immigration - Lawful or not -
helps the poor of America ?
If these politicians in America really cared about the poor citizens
of America, the would not be posturing for the favor of immigrants.
15
Throughout Mr. Sessions career, he has posited the 10th Amendment permits states to defy the federal government on various matters, that State's rights were sacred. Usually, these claims were related to race issues.
Now, he claims California has no right to determine how to govern itself.
For Mr. Sessions, the applicability and the power of the 10th Amendment depends on his ability to discriminate.
16
The authors of this piece left out this comment by Sessions:
“Just imagine if a state passed a law forbidding employers from cooperating with OSHA in ensuring workplace safety,” he said, referring to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Or the Environmental Protection Agency for looking after polluters. Would you pass a law to do that?”
7
OMG! Sessions has no shame!
I'm a Bay Area liberal on most issues, but I think Libby Schaaf is in the wrong here. Immigration clearly falls under the Federal purview, and it is perfectly sensible and just to expel illegal immigrants convicted or suspected of serious crimes.
48
or suspected??
And what if the "crime" is simply being here?
3
If the criminal immigrants were the only ones being swept up in these raid, sure but guess what, ICE is throwing a pretty wide net that catches pretty much everyone within a very wide radius, even some people who "look like illegals" but are in fact citizens... Being a "liberal", are you okay with that? Keep in mind, next time they might be coming for you...
4
Few are arguing the deportation of criminals but they're good at hiding so this Administration is taking on easy targets such as hard working parents wanting to give their kids a better life, just like we all are. Breaking up families for no reason other than pandering to his base is wrong.
"This is going to war"? Really? If it's war, then California started it by flouting federal law. It seems like not too long ago that states such as Arizona were being forcibly reminded by the previous presidential administration that illegal immigratrion is a federal issue.
10
Really? It seem like the first flouting of federal law happened when trump tried to bar Muslims from entering our country (except the special Muslims who do business with him) until "we figure out what is happening".
1
ICE should start announcing raids, then not do them. Then announce more and not do them. Announce them and not do them so often that they wont know when you are telling the truth. Then you strike once they no longer listen to the warnings from these officials. Play their game, but play it better.
7
The Trump Administration is again lying by saying California's 'liberal politicians were endangering the state's citizens.' The people of California elected these people and they're fulfilling the desire of the people of the state. Once again, the GOP, always claiming state's rights when it comes to a myriad of issues like gun control, is now doing the opposite.
7
I look forward to November elections and the neutering of these Republican oligarchs and their troops.
5
good luck with that, majority of country is against illegal immigration. perhaps you should shutdown the government again on behalf of the illegals
1
New flash Mr. Sessions: the whole county has a problem with YOU and your 'boss.'
9
Talk of a war between the US federal government and California with the word succession being thrown about semi-casually...reality is becoming more like the fictional dystopia in Starkawk's The Fifth Sacred Thing. If this continues to play out along the same lines, let's all be California. Let's make our sanctuary cities into sanctuary states and a sanctuary country too. Let the peaceful revolution begin.
5
I'm no fan of Sessions but this time, like the broken clock that's right twice a day, he is correct.
California cannot have it's own immigration laws and policies any more then
Mississippi can.
82
Apparenly you haven't been to Mississippi
2
you're missing the point. All this stuff is saying that the Feds can't make local government enforce federal law. That is the responsibility of Federal agencies.
there is mountains of case law on this, and it's clear cut. Federal agencies enforce federal law. They want to enforce Federal law, fine and good. but they can't make state or local law enforcement do it for them.
4
Actually... watch us.
If the Federal government can blunder irresponsibly into the future, so can anyone. They set the bar low enough at this point.
1
That's right, Jefferson (Davis) Beauregard Sessions III, "federal law is the supreme law of the land.”
Now stop pursuing fear-and-loathing racism against non-whites for a living and start defending the Equal Protection Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution that provides that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction "the equal protection of the laws", including the right of citizens to cast a vote in the New Confederacy of Republistan, where the poor, non-whites and university students are systematically disenfranchised before and on election day so that right-wing tyranny can roam free across the fruited plains.
Yes, we have an immigration problem that can be fixed with some more thoughtful policy, but we have a much bigger right-wing coup d'etat problem and utter collapse of American democracy due to Republican Jim Crow overthrow of representative government.
Sessions wouldn't even be in office if America had a functioning democracy.
336
Racism says you. That is your way of shutting down conversation and silencing critics. It isn't working and people around the Western world are sick of it. Try again.
17
Which part of illegal don't you understand? The 14th amendment does not protect convicted criminal illegal aliens. Your logic is not very socratic.
14
It really is simple if people just take all the political perspectives out of the equation: The INA (immigration and nationality act) is federal law. Passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the president. Most significant recent amendments were in 1996 under IIRA signed by Clinton. Immigration law has always been assigned to the AG to enforce. (INS was part of DOJ- but now ICE is part of DHS) the immigration courts - where someone is actually ordered removed by a judge are part of doj.
It’s the law. If you don’t like it....the remedy is not to enact state laws to try and hinder its enforcement. The remedy is to change the law. Either lobby to change or vote out your representative/senator.
So, yes. California and it’s politicians are wrong to hinder legitimate federal enforcement of our immigration laws. It’s not more complicated than that.
3