The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to support the Trump administration's lawsuit challenging California's sanctuary law.
The board voted 3-1 in executive session to support the action, ABC News 10 reports, following a similar action last month by officials in Orange County near Los Angeles.
The California law, which took effect in January, bars police in many cases from turning over suspects to federal immigration agents for deportation.
The Justice Department sued California in March over three state laws, including one that requires the state to review detention centers where illegals are held and another that limits the ability of state and local law enforcement officials to turn people over to federal authorities.
The Justice Department has contended California officials have prevented them from removing dangerous people who are in the U.S. illegally.
California officials have responded their sanctuary policies increase public safety by promoting trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
Texas and more than a dozen other states led by Republican governors have backed the Trump administration's action.
In San Diego, the board's decision came after the deadline passed to file an amicus brief supporting the Justice Department's lawsuit.
However, one will be filed should the ruling be appealed to a higher court, according to Board Chair Kristin Gaspar, ABC News 10 reports.
California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter, who represents the county in Washington, praised the board's action — calling it in a statement "the very definition of leadership."
"In standing up against the irresponsible actions by the State of California, our county supervisors who supported this action clearly demonstrated that their priorities are protecting those of us in San Diego County and not about politics," Hunter said.
"The fact of the matter is, when state and local law enforcement agencies outright refuse to share information to federal officials regarding criminal activity, our communities are unsafe and the rule of law is undermined.
"It's not complicated.
"I have always been, and will continue to be, an advocate for state’s rights, but that's not the issue," Hunter continued. "The U.S. Constitution clearly places border policy and our immigration laws within the purview of the federal government.
"State or local governments cannot just choose to ignore federal statutes because of a political agenda, especially when doing so places its citizens at risk by leaving criminals eligible for deportation in our communities."
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