Riverside County – Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has joined a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn California’s immigration protection law, the California Values Act, also known as SB 54. Bianco, joining in his capacity as sheriff, coroner, and public administrator, is the only sheriff in the state participating in the suit.
Filed in U.S. District Court on May 2 and supported by America First Legal (AFL), the lawsuit argues that SB 54 — which limits local law enforcement’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement — violates federal law and compromises public safety. Huntington Beach, its city council, police department, and police chief are also plaintiffs.
“SB 54 was only designed to protect criminals in jail from being deported,” Bianco claimed in a statement. However, the law, which took effect in 2018, protects a broader range of immigrants by restricting local agencies from using state or local resources for immigration enforcement, except in cases involving serious crimes or felony convictions…