The Culver City Council, representing the Culver City Real Estate area, has chosen to back the State of California in its fight against the Trump administration over the Sanctuary City law. With many cities and several counties currently suing the State of California, Culver City voted 3-1-1 to stand behind its previous decision to become a Sanctuary City.
Martin Feinberg, Realtor, remembers that the Culver City Council had voted to become a Sanctuary City on March 27, 2017. At that time the Council stated, “The City of Culver City is a sanctuary city for all of its residents, and the City stands in solidarity with other sanctuary jurisdictions.”
The item was added to the May 11 City Council meeting agenda at the last minute as a closed season item. It was reported in general session and addressed at the end of the session.
According to an article in the Culver City Observer, Mayor Thomas Small, Vice Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells and Councilman Daniel Lee all voted to support the state, while Councilman Goran Eriksson abstained from voting. Councilman Alex Fisch recused himself because he is employed as a Deputy Attorney General in the California State Attorney General’s office.
Eriksson chose to abstain because he believed that the item should have been brought up in public session first before being voted on by the Council.
There have been many cities and counties in California that have supported California’s lawsuit but not all cities and counties agree with the state. San Diego County and Orange County have both backed the Trump Administration. Los Alamitos City Council was the first city to opt out of California’s sanctuary law, stating that it “finds that it is impossible to honor our oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States” without opting out of the policy.
Martin Feinberg, local listing agent, notes that the City Attorney claims there is no cost to Culver City joining the amicus brief.
