DOJ accuses Calif. of interfering with immigration policies in new lawsuit

The Justice Department said Tuesday it is suing the state of California, Gov. Jerry Brown and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for interfering with federal immigration activities. The lawsuit is targeting three state laws signed by Brown that limit the enforcement of federal immigration law.

The Justice Department is still reviewing other states for possible legal action, a senior official told CBS News. There are five other states considered to have so-called “sanctuary cities.”

 Attorney General Jeff  Sessions will be in California’s capital, Sacramento, on Thursday to make the announcement. He will be speaking at the annual gathering of the California Peace Officers’ Association.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) wants to increase its presence in California, and Sessions has threatened to cut off federal funding to jurisdictions that won’t cooperate.

California is home to some high-profile sanctuary cities, including San Francisco and Oakland.  

Last month, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf tipped off Bay Area residents of upcoming immigration raids, which ICE said helped 800 people avoid arrest.

The acting director of the Justice Department Thomas Homan said on “Fox & Friends” last week that they are considering charging Schaaf with obstruction of justice. A senior Justice Department official told CBS News on Tuesday there is no update if Schaaf will be charged.

CBS News’ justice reporter Paula Reid contributed to this report.