Democratic Attorneys General Challenge DOJ's Immigration Enforcement Directive
Democratic attorneys general across several states have declared their intent to challenge the Trump administration in court should the Department of Justice proceed with a recent directive mandating the involvement of certain local law enforcement agencies in federal immigration enforcement actions.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, attorneys general from approximately a dozen states emphasized that the U.S. Constitution prohibits the federal government from compelling states to enforce federal laws, citing established Supreme Court precedents.
DOJ’s Immigration Enforcement Directive
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued a memo earlier this week directing the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces, which include state and local police officers bound by sanctuary policies, to support President Trump’s immigration initiatives.
The directive also cautions state and local officials about potential charges for harboring undocumented immigrants and warns of legal consequences for hindering police collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
Response from Democratic Attorneys General
Expressing concern over perceived threats to misuse the Department of Justice’s prosecutorial powers, the Democratic attorneys general criticized the administration’s approach as detrimental to community relationships and law enforcement efforts.
The attorneys general condemned the directives as vague and cautioned against any unlawful actions, asserting their commitment to upholding state laws and pursuing criminal investigations irrespective of individuals’ immigration statuses.
The states represented by these attorneys general include California, New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Commitment to State Laws
Emphasizing their duty to enforce state laws, the attorneys general affirmed their dedication to combatting crimes regardless of individuals’ immigration status, reaffirming their focus on public safety and community trust.
Following President Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, legal challenges were promptly filed by immigrant rights advocates and Democratic attorneys general, leading to a federal judge blocking the order on grounds of unconstitutionality.
Opponents of the order argue that the 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship to individuals born in the U.S., underscoring the ongoing legal battles surrounding immigration policies.
