A federal judge has upheld much of California's sanctuary city law. The judge ruled the federal government can't force states to participate in enforcing immigration laws.
South Texas College of Law Houston professor Gerald Treece says this leaves one big question; can immigration law be enforced?
"Can the federal government do it without states cooperation or at least without the states' acquiescence? I don't know."
Professor Treece says he's all for states' rights, but this is an odd situation.
"I always like the 10th Amendment to win but this is a strange 10th Amendment issue because it's in an area that's usually reserved to the federal government."
Professor Treece says this issue has a good chance of making it to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"The hallmark of immigration law was cooperation between the federal government, the border agents and the states; it was an era of cooperation. But now that cooperation seems to have gone."
The Trump administration sued California but a federal judge has ruled in favor of California's sanctuary city laws. The Bush appointee ruled the feds cannot force California's hand.