Culver City to Join State in Sanctuary Lawsuit Against Feds

With many cities and several counties suing the State of California over the so called "Sanctuary City" law, the Culver City Council voted 3-1-1 to back the state with what is known as an Amicus Brief in its fight against the Trump administration lawsuit.

The item was placed on the agenda at the last minute on May 11 as a closed session item. It was reported out in general session and was addressed at the end of the session.

Mayor Thomas Small, Vice Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells and Councilman Daniel Lee voted to support the state. Councilman Goran Eriksson abstained, and Councilman Alex Fisch recused himself as he is employed as a Deputy Attorney General in the California State Attorney General's office.

Eriksson stated that he abstained because he felt the issue should have been brought up in public session first.

While many cities and counties have voiced support for the state's lawsuit, both San Diego County and Orange County have backed the Trump Administration. Los Alamitos City Council was the first city to opt out of California's sanctuary law. The adopted ordinance said state laws "may be in direct conflict with federal laws and the Constitution." It said it "finds that it is impossible to honor our oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States" if it did not opt out of the policy.

On March 27, 2017, the Culver City Council voted to become a sanctuary city stating, "The City of Culver City is a sanctuary city for all of its residents, and the City stands in solidarity with other sanctuary jurisdictions."

The City Attorney's office said there was no cost to the city to join the amicus brief.