SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions addressed immigration and California sanctuary laws downtown Sacramento on Wednesday morning, speaking at the annual meeting of the California Peace Officers Association held at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel. 

Sessions informed those in attendance that the Justice Department sued the state of California because state laws are preventing federal immigration agents from doing their jobs and putting their lives at risk, but the state’s leaders believe otherwise and continue to deny any wrongdoing.

Last month, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff warned residents of a federal immigration agent raid, allowing more than 800 criminals to avoid arrest. This drew harsh criticism from both Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the White House.

“So here’s my message for Mayor Schaaf: How dare you. How dare you needlessly endanger the lives of our law enforcement officers to promote a radical open borders agenda,” Sessions said on Wednesday. He also questioned Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom for “bragging about the obstruction of law enforcement,” calling it an “embarrassment for the great state of California.”

Governor Jerry Brown thumbed out a tweet stating, “Jeff, these political stunts may be the norm in Washington, but they don’t work here. SAD!!!”

Dozens of protestors blocked traffic outside of the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel and the Golden 1 Center, holding signs and chanting in opposition of Sessions and the White House.