Case: United States v. City of Los Angeles

2:25-cv-05917 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: June 30, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenged Los Angeles's "sanctuary city" policies which seek to protect noncitizens. In 2017, the California State Legislature enacted the California Values Act (CVA) that, when implemented in Los Angeles, "restricted cooperation with federal immigration authorities and ordered that the LAPD shall not: [i]nvestigate, interrogate, detain, or arrest a person for civil immigration purposes; or [i]nquire into an individual’s civil immigration status." The act also "requires LAPD personne…

This case challenged Los Angeles's "sanctuary city" policies which seek to protect noncitizens. In 2017, the California State Legislature enacted the California Values Act (CVA) that, when implemented in Los Angeles, "restricted cooperation with federal immigration authorities and ordered that the LAPD shall not: [i]nvestigate, interrogate, detain, or arrest a person for civil immigration purposes; or [i]nquire into an individual’s civil immigration status." The act also "requires LAPD personnel to obtain approval from the Department’s Immigration Liaison Officer before transferring a suspect to federal authorities such as US-ICE or US-CBP based on a probable cause arrest." 

In 2024, the City of Los Angeles also adopted its sanctuary city law titled the "Prohibition of the Use of City Resources for Federal Immigration Enforcement." The LA law does not allow city personnel to (1) collect information on an individual's immigration status, (2) detain individuals for Immigration Enforcement officials, (3) provide immigration agents access to city property, (4) make individuals in city custody available for interviews with immigration agents, or (5) participate in immigration operations with federal agents. 

On June 30, 2025, the United States sued the City of Los Angeles, its mayor, and its city council in the District Court for the Central District of California, where the case was assigned to District Judge Fernando M. Olguin.. The U.S. alleged violations of the Supremacy Clause, as well as 8 U.S.C. § 1373, which bars obstructing communication between government agencies and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The U.S. alleged that Los Angeles's laws violated the Supremacy Clause in three ways: First, the U.S. claimed that federal law preempted the city's law by requiring "that local governments not prohibit or restrict information sharing with federal immigration officials regarding the citizenship or immigration status of any individual." Second, the U.S. claimed that the city's laws unlawfully regulated the federal government, since "[b]y refusing to honor civil detainers and warrants expressly authorized by Congress, Defendants have unlawfully eliminated these means for federal immigration officials to carry out their statutory functions." Third, the U.S. alleged that the city's laws unlawfully discriminated against the federal government "by picking and choosing which federal criminal laws it will follow." 

The U.S. asked the court to issue a declaration finding that Los Angeles's laws violated the Supremacy Clause and an injunction barring the defendants from enforcing the laws. On August 21, 2025, Defendant Los Angeles filed a motion to dismiss and on September 11, the United States filed their opposition to the motion to dismiss. 

The case is ongoing. 

Summary Authors

Jeremiah Price (7/14/2025)

Nithya Arun (10/21/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70672257/parties/united-states-v-city-of-los-angeles/


Judge(s)

Olguin, Fernando Manzano (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Green, Paul Bartholomew (California)

Lyerla, Christopher (California)

Schanerberger, Evan William (California)

Attorney for Defendant
Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Hauenschild, Jonathon Paul (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:25-cv-05917

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Complaint

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70672257/united-states-v-city-of-los-angeles/

Last updated Oct. 23, 2025, 2:20 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT No Fee Required - US Government, filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney Paul Bartholomew Green added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Green, Paul) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Green, Paul) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

RECAP
3

NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT to District Judge Fernando M. Olguin and Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue. (sh) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

4

NOTICE TO PARTIES OF COURT-DIRECTED ADR PROGRAM filed. (sh) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

5

Notice to Counsel Re Consent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge. (sh) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

6

Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Green, Paul) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

7

Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Green, Paul) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

8

Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Green, Paul) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

9

Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Green, Paul) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

10

21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendant Marqueece Harris Dawson. (iv) (Entered: 07/01/2025)

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

11

21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendant Karen Bass. (iv) (Entered: 07/01/2025)

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

12

21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendant Los Angeles City Council. (iv) (Entered: 07/01/2025)

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

13

21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendant City of Los Angeles. (iv) (Entered: 07/01/2025)

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

14

TEXT ONLY ENTRY by Chambers of Judge Fernando M. Olguin. This matter has been assigned to District Judge Fernando M. Olguin. The Court refers counsel to the Court's Initial Standing Order found on the Court's Website under Judge Olguin's Procedures and Schedules. Please read this Order carefully. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (vdr) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 07/01/2025)

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Text Only Scheduling Notice

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

15

PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff United States of America, upon Defendant City of Los Angeles served on 7/3/2025, answer due 7/24/2025. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Mike V. Deputy City Clerk in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by personal service (Green, Paul) (Entered: 07/09/2025)

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

16

PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff United States of America, upon Defendant Karen Bass served on 7/3/2025, answer due 7/24/2025. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Mike V. Deputy City Clerk in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by personal service (Green, Paul) (Entered: 07/09/2025)

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

17

PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff United States of America, upon Defendant Los Angeles City Council served on 7/3/2025, answer due 7/24/2025. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Mike V. Deputy City Clerk in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by personal service (Green, Paul) (Entered: 07/09/2025)

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

18

PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff United States of America, upon Defendant Marqueece Harris Dawson served on 7/3/2025, answer due 7/24/2025. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Mike V. Deputy City Clerk in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by personal service (Green, Paul) (Entered: 07/09/2025)

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

24

Pros Se Amicus Curiae filed by Joseph L Westfall. (es) (Entered: 07/21/2025)

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

RECAP
19

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Christopher Lyerla counsel for Plaintiff United States of America. Adding Christopher Lyerla as counsel of record for United States of America for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney Christopher Lyerla added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Lyerla, Christopher) (Entered: 07/15/2025)

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

20

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Evan William Schanerberger counsel for Plaintiff United States of America. Adding Evan Schanerberger as counsel of record for United States of America for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney Evan William Schanerberger added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Schanerberger, Evan) (Entered: 07/16/2025)

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

21

STIPULATION Extending Time to Answer the complaint as to All Defendants, re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 filed by Defendants Los Angeles City Council, Karen Bass, City of Los Angeles, Marqueece Harris Dawson.(Attorney Molly C Stephens added to party Karen Bass(pty:dft), Attorney Molly C Stephens added to party City of Los Angeles(pty:dft), Attorney Molly C Stephens added to party Marqueece Harris Dawson(pty:dft), Attorney Molly C Stephens added to party Los Angeles City Council(pty:dft))(Stephens, Molly) (Entered: 07/16/2025)

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

22

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Sean Skedzielewski counsel for Plaintiff United States of America. Adding Sean Skedzielewski as counsel of record for United States of America for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by plaintiff United States of America. (Attorney Sean Skedzielewski added to party United States of America(pty:pla))(Skedzielewski, Sean) (Entered: 07/17/2025)

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

23

ORDER RETURNING CASE FOR REASSIGNMENT UPON RECUSAL by Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue. ORDER case returned to the Clerk for random reassignment for Discovery pursuant to General Order 05-07. Case randomly reassigned from Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue to Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian for all further proceedings. The case number will now reflect the initials of the transferee Judge 2:25-cv-05917 FMO (JCx). (lh) (Entered: 07/18/2025)

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

25

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Case filed by Defendants Karen Bass, City of Los Angeles, Marqueece Harris Dawson, Los Angeles City Council. Motion set for hearing on 10/2/2025 at 10:00 AM before Judge Fernando M. Olguin. (Attachments: # 1 Request for Judicial Notice, # 2 Declaration of Molly Stephens, # 3 Proposed Order) (Stephens, Molly) (Entered: 08/21/2025)

1 Request for Judicial Notice

View on PACER

2 Declaration of Molly Stephens

View on PACER

3 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Aug. 21, 2025

Aug. 21, 2025

RECAP
26

ORDER SETTING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE by Judge Fernando M. Olguin. Scheduling Conference set for 10/2/2025 at 10:00 AM before Judge Fernando M. Olguin. (vdr) (Entered: 08/22/2025)

Aug. 22, 2025

Aug. 22, 2025

27

Joint STIPULATION to Continue HEARING ON DEFENDANTS MOTION TO DISMISS AND SCHEDULING CONFERENCE filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Green, Paul) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

28

OPPOSITION to NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Case 25 filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Lyerla, Christopher) (Entered: 09/11/2025)

Sept. 11, 2025

Sept. 11, 2025

RECAP
29

JOINT RULE 26(F) REPORT filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Lyerla, Christopher) (Entered: 09/18/2025)

Sept. 18, 2025

Sept. 18, 2025

30

REPLY in Support of NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Case 25 filed by Defendants Karen Bass, City of Los Angeles, Marqueece Harris Dawson, Los Angeles City Council. (Stephens, Molly) (Entered: 09/18/2025)

Sept. 18, 2025

Sept. 18, 2025

RECAP
31

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Jonathon Paul Hauenschild counsel for Movant Federation for American Immigration Reform. Adding Jonathon P. Hauenschild as counsel of record for Federation for American Immigration Reform for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Movant: proposed amicus Federation for American Immigration Reform. (Attorney Jonathon Paul Hauenschild added to party Federation for American Immigration Reform (pty:bkmov))(Hauenschild, Jonathon) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

32

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to File Amicus Brief filed by Movant: Proposed Amicus Federation for American Immigration Reform. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Proposed Order) (Hauenschild, Jonathon) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

33

Minutes of In Chambers Order/Directive - no proceeding held AND ~Util - Set/Reset Motion Hearing and R&R Deadlines

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

34

Objection/Opposition (Motion related)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

35

Stay Case

1 Proposed Order Proposed Order

View on PACER

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 30, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The United States Department of Justice in the second Trump Administration.

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles), City

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Supremacy Clause

Other Dockets:

Central District of California 2:25-cv-05917

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Sanctuary city/state