SACRAMENTO (KRON) — President Trump says his proposal to send migrants to sanctuary cities is taking effect, many of which are in California.

However, it’s unclear if Homeland Security is actually implementing the plan.

The latest chapter in the immigration feud between the president and California puts the state’s sanctuary cities on the spot.

President Trump tweeted Monday, “Those Illegal Immigrants who can no longer be legally held (Congress must fix the laws and loopholes) will be, subject to Homeland Security, given to Sanctuary Cities and States!”

California has 20 jurisdictions between the Bay Area and San Diego that have policies that don’t cooperate with federal immigration officials as sanctuary cities and counties.

Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted Monday:

“To use immigrants as pawns – to put them in difficult and trying circumstances all for the sake of political retribution shows how low you can go. It’s sick. It’s illegal. It’s immoral. It’s pathetic – but also par for the course for this administration.”

State Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement Monday:

“Donald Trump’s use of government power to conduct corrupt, vindictive operations smells like Watergate. It’s a sobering reminder that our nation is only as strong as our democratic institutions and the rule of law.”

The state’s top officials would not say Monday what, if any, recourse California would take if the president put the policy in place.

California has sued the Trump administration 49 times — about a dozen of those lawsuits are immigration related.

For live, local news, download the KRONon app. It lets you watch commercial-free the Bay Area’s Local News Station on multiple streaming devices.

Click here to subscribe for a free 7-day trial

WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON:

>>MORE STORIES