Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jun 23: A California federal court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump’s administration against the city of Los Angeles over a local ordinance restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

US District Judge Fernando Olguin rejected the administration’s argument that the city’s policy was unconstitutional, while allowing the government to submit an amended complaint.

The White House did not immediately comment on the court’s decision.

Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto said the ruling upheld the principle that local governments have the authority to decide how they use their resources and personnel.

The lawsuit, filed by the administration last June, accused Los Angeles of violating federal law by preventing city resources from being used to assist immigration enforcement operations and by restricting the collection of information about individuals’ citizenship status.

The legal action came weeks after President Trump deployed troops to Los Angeles following protests against federal deportation operations.

Judge Olguin ruled that the city ordinance did not attempt to regulate the federal government but instead governed the actions of the city’s own agencies and employees.

The Trump administration has filed similar lawsuits against several Democratic-led jurisdictions over immigration policies. Courts have also dismissed administration challenges against policies in cities including Boston and Chicago.