NewsLocal News

Actions

San Diego County Board of Supervisors votes to sue Trump administration over asylum seekers

PHOTOS: Migrant caravan makes way to U.S-Mexico border
Posted at 3:21 PM, Feb 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-12 20:42:30-05

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to sue the Trump administration over its handling of asylum-seeking families.

The decision was reached in a closed-door session. It was unclear if the vote was unanimous.

The board's decision comes after a recent vote to open a shelter to temporarily house migrants going through the asylum process.

In a statement, board Chairwoman Dianne Jacob said the Trump administration "created this crisis by releasing asylum-seeking families into our community without providing critical resources or even places to shelter.''

Jacob said the lawsuit is an effort to hold the federal government accountable for failing to "consider the impact of its own actions on public health and safety,'' which has included separating migrant children from their parents.

Supervisor Nathan Fletcher released a statement supporting the decision to sue.

"While we want the courts to weigh in, San Diego County will not abandon asylum seekers,'' Fletcher said. "We are committed to continuing our work with San Diego Rapid Response Network and the state of California to ensure humane and compassionate treatment for all.''