Judicial Watch Statement on Court Decision in Special Order 40 Lawsuit

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton issued the following statement today in response to a decision by the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Judicial Watch’s taxpayer lawsuit to end Special Order 40, a Los Angeles Police Department illegal alien sanctuary policy (Judicial Watch, Inc. v The Los Angeles Police Department et. al, Case No. BC349040). The court ruled the lawsuit cannot proceed to trial.

“Special Order 40 is a dangerous sanctuary policy that clearly violates federal immigration laws and it should be stopped. Simply put, federal law gives every police officer the discretion to communicate with federal authorities about an individual’s immigration status. Special Order 40 makes it harder for federal authorities to enforce our nation’s immigration law. This “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy benefits no one but lawbreakers and places LA residents at risk. We do not want any more innocents to die because of Special Order 40. We will consider an appeal and additional legal challenges.”

In May of 2006, Judicial Watch filed a taxpayer lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles asking the court to prohibit the LAPD from expending taxpayer funds to enforce and maintain Special Order 40, which violates both federal immigration laws and California law.

For more information, visit www.judicialwatch.org/lapd-special-order-40