Judge warns against ‘piecemeal’ court rulings on immigration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A U.S. judge in Sacramento urged Congress and the president to set aside partisan differences on immigration in a ruling that allowed California to enforce some state sanctuary laws.

Judge John Mendez wrote Thursday that “piecemeal” court decisions were not a long-term solution to the nation’s heated immigration debate. He made an unusual plea for elected officials to reach a deal.

Mendez ruled in a lawsuit filed against California by the Trump administration that continued a pattern of judicial decision-making on key immigration disputes.

He found that California could limit police co-operation with immigration officials and require inspections of detention facilities but could not enforce a key part of a third sanctuary law barring private employers from allowing immigration officials on their premises without a warrant.