The Trump Administration has escalated what had been a war of words over California’s immigration agenda. Late Tuesday, there was a lawsuit filed that led to a preemptive strike against sanctuary laws. The Justice department sued California, Governor Jerry Brown, and the state’s attorney general, Xavier Becerra.

The lawsuit was one of the boldest attacks against California, which is one of the strongest opponents of the Trump administration’s efforts to curve immigration. “The Department of Justice and the Trump Administration are going to fight these unjust, unfair, and unconstitutional polices that have been imposed on you,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Last year, California enacted the sanctuary laws, which restrict when and how local law enforcement can cooperate with federal enforcement officers. Both President Trump and Mr. Sessions have threatened to pull federal grant money from cities and states that have sanctuary laws to protect undocumented immigrants.

The state and several local governments including San Francisco and Sacramento have set up legal defense funds to help defend immigrants during deportations processing. Mayor Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento stated, “I’m worried about the ‘Dreamers,’ hard-working immigrant families and law-abiding people who are just trying to make their way like the rest of us. Civil disobedience is a respectful way to show your love for your country.”

Mr. Becerra reported, “Our teams work together to go after drug dealers and go after gang violence. What we won’t do is change from being focused on public safety. We’re in the business of public safety, not deportation.” He said he was not surprised by the news of the lawsuit and that the state had already won legal battles against the Trump Administration.