By Chris White

The Department of Justice sued the state of California Tuesday for using so-called sanctuary laws to violate aspects of the U.S Constitution.

The Trump administration and the Justice Department alleged late Tuesday night that three California laws obstruct enforcement of federal immigration law and harm public safety. The lawsuit comes as President Donald Trump continues to escalate a protracted battle against city ordinances that protect illegal aliens.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions will reference the lawsuit in a speech Wednesday at the California Peace Officers Association’s 26th Annual Law Enforcement Day. “We are fighting to make your jobs safer and to help you reduce crime in America. And I believe we are going to win,”  according to an excerpt from the AG’s prepared speech.

California’s Democratic politicians howled indignation at the move.

“At a time of unprecedented political turmoil, Jeff Sessions has come to California to further divide and polarize America. Jeff, these political stunts may be the norm in Washington, but they don’t work here. SAD!!!” Gov. Jerry Brown told his Twitter followers shortly after the lawsuit was filed.

Justice’s lawsuit also comes less than a month after California Attorney General Xavier Becerra warned employers that they would be prosecuted if they help federal immigration officers find illegal immigrants.

The Immigration Worker Protection Act, a state law passed in December, would give employers and businesses fines of up to $10,000 if they provide employee information to U.S. Immigration Customs, Becerra said at a Thursday news conference, The Sacramento Bee reported in January.

“It’s important, given these rumors that are out there, to let people know – more specifically today, employers – that if they voluntarily start giving up information about their employees or access to their employees in ways that contradict our new California laws, they subject themselves to actions by my office,” Becerra said at the time.  “We will prosecute those who violate the law.”

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