California sanctuary laws (mostly) withstand federal appeal

A federal appeals court in San Francisco Thursday upheld most of a lower court ruling that left in place the bulk of California’s three “sanctuary” laws aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants.

A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel said that two of the laws were within California’s authority to enact, but that part of a third law should be blocked.

One of the laws the appeals court upheld was SB 54, entitled the California Values Act, which bars local officials from informing federal officials about immigrants’ release dates from jail except in serious criminal cases.

The U.S. Department of Justice challenged the laws in federal court in Sacramento, and appealed after a district judge declined to grant a preliminary injunction blocking most provisions.