sanctuary policies are laws which restrict California law enforcement from collaborating with US immigration officials

Donald Trump's administration is suing California and its sanctuary policies. The US Justice Department has accused the state of interfering with federal immigration law.

The lawsuit against the state, filed in Sacramento county court, alleges that laws passed by the state legislature last year conflict with federal immigration policy.

It comes just days after Mr Trump announced a crackdown on sanctuary cities.

What are sanctuary policies?

The laws, enacted in 2017, restrict California law enforcement from collaborating with US immigration officials.

They make it illegal for police to ask about someone's immigration status during traffic stops or routine questioning and prohibit jails from turning over people who are in the country illegally to federal authorities - unless they have been convicted of a felony.
The Trump administration says this creates safe zones for criminals. California Governor Jerry Brown called it a political stunt.

What does sanctuary mean?

A city or state can be described as a 'sanctuary' if there is an official policy stating that local law enforcement will not cooperate with federal immigration officials on the basis of someone's immigration status.

The policies are intended to protect undocumented immigrants who might otherwise be deported for minor offences, like traffic violations.

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