April 28, 2017

San Francisco – The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA) stands with U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick’s decision to block President Donald Trump’s executive order to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities.  San Francisco and Santa Clara County are sanctuary cities that stood to lose $1 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, in federal funds due to the executive order.  They filed suit earlier this year to enjoin its enforcement and were successful in showing that the loss of federal funds would cause the cities to suffer irreparable harm.  In his order, Judge Orrick found that “[t]he Counties have demonstrated that their sanctuary policies reflect their local judgment of what policies and practices are most effective for maintaining public safety and community health” and that the executive order is likely unconstitutional. 

Sanctuary cities provide a safe harbor to undocumented immigrants who face deportation by limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.  AABA recognizes the value of sanctuary cities such as San Francisco, Santa Clara County, and Richmond, California, which ensure that immigrants are also provided equal and fair administration of justice.  

“AABA commends Judge Orrick’s decision to respect the decisions of local cities and counties,” says Miriam Kim, President of AABA. “Judge Orrick’s decision makes clear that a president may not use funding as ‘a weapon’ against jurisdictions that disagree with his immigration policies.”  We stand with Judge Orrick’s admonishment of unconstitutional executive orders that harm immigrant individuals and families without providing due process.

For more information, contact AABA at info@aaba-bay.com.

AABA has a long history of active involvement in civil rights issues and community service, and is dedicated to fostering the exchange of ideas and information among its members and the public. AABA is one of the largest local Asian American bar associations in the country, and counts lawyers, judges, law students, and community leaders among its members, representing the entire spectrum of political, social, and legal concerns in the San Francisco Bay Area.