A panel of federal judges on Thursday ruled to throw out the Trump administration's request to prevent California from carrying out some "sanctuary city" laws that would protect certain immigrants without legal status in the state.

The panel of three judges from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Justice Department's argument that California bypasses federal authority through implementation of its own rules for working with immigration authorities, as reported by Bloomberg News.

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The appeals court upheld a lower court decision, though its ruling is likely to be appealed. The Hill has reached out to the Justice Department for comment.

The 9th Circuit has previously ruled against other administration immigration policies.

"Sanctuary cities," those where local officials do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities, have recently been in the news after reports surfaced that President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE is interested in sending immigrants apprehended at the border to the cities in an effort to punish Democrats.

Trump later confirmed the preliminary reports:

Just out: The USA has the absolute legal right to have apprehended illegal immigrants transferred to Sanctuary Cities. We hereby demand that they be taken care of at the highest level, especially by the State of California, which is well known or its poor management & high taxes! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2019