The Latest: Judges skeptical of challenge to California law

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on a Trump administration lawsuit against California over state sanctuary laws (all times local):

12:50 p.m.

A U.S. appeals court appears inclined to allow enforcement of a California law that limits police cooperation with immigration officials.

The Trump administration has sued the state over that law and two other state laws that it says obstruct federal immigration efforts. The administration wants all three laws blocked.

Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Milan Smith said during a hearing on Wednesday that federal officials might find it frustrating that local authorities can't help them take custody of people in the country illegally. But Smith says he doesn't see how that lack of cooperation is illegal.

Smith and another judge on the three-judge panel expressed concerns about another state law requiring inspections of facilities where immigrants are detained. The panel did not immediately issue a ruling.

8:55 a.m.

Dozens of immigrant advocates are outside a federal courthouse in San Francisco in advance of a hearing where the Trump administration will try to persuade an appeals court to block state laws that protect immigrants.

Some are holding signs that read "ICE out of California," referring to the agency that enforces immigration laws. There are more than 50 people.

At issue before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is a 2018 lawsuit by the administration over three California laws that extended protections to people in the country illegally.

A U.S. judge in Sacramento kept two of the laws in place in July but blocked part of a third.

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12:05 a.m.

The Trump administration will try to persuade an appeals court to block California laws aimed at protecting...