Pranksters troll California's 'sanctuary state' declaration: 'Felons, Illegals and MS13 Welcome!

California officially became a “sanctuary state” on Monday — and opponents of the new declaration were there to troll the Golden State's government.

What happened?

Signs mocking the declaration appeared on “Welcome to California” highway signs on Monday. According to Fox News, motorists entering from Nevada and Arizona were greeted with the official-looking signs. They read:

OFFICIAL SANCTUARY STATE

Felons, Illegals and MS13 Welcome!

Democrats Need The Votes!

It isn’t clear who posted the signs or if they have been removed.

The signs are similar to one posted on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu last year, according to the Los Angeles Times. That sign read: "Official Sanctuary City ‘Cheap Nannies and Gardeners Make Malibu Great!’ (Boyle Heights Not So Much).”

That sign was posted after Malibu declared itself a sanctuary city.

What did California do?

California officially became a “sanctuary state” on Jan. 1, because of a bill that California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed into law in October.

The law, similar to many “sanctuary city” laws, bars California law enforcement from asking people about their immigration status or working with federal immigration authorities, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In effect, the law shields California’s estimated 2.3 million undocumented immigrants from federal immigration laws.

Brown said in October that the law will “strike a balance” between protecting the public and protecting undocumented immigrants.

"These are uncertain times for undocumented Californians and their families, and this bill strikes a balance that will protect public safety, while bringing a measure of comfort to those families who are now living in fear everyday,” he said, according to Fox News.

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions denounced the law: "The bill risks the safety of good law enforcement officers and the safety of the neighborhoods that need their protection the most."