Democratic attorneys general are gearing up for legal action to prevent Donald Trump from carrying out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. They are prepared to challenge Trump in court over various issues such as misusing military troops on domestic soil, attempting to commandeer local law enforcement for federal purposes, and denying due process rights. The attorneys general are also ready to push back against federalizing the National Guard and sending immigration agents into schools and hospitals to target vulnerable populations. They are gearing up to fight Trump over withholding federal funding from local law enforcement agencies to induce them into carrying out deportations.
The preparations of these attorneys underscore the concerns of blue-state leaders about Trump’s deportation plans and highlight the significant role state prosecutors will play in shaping the country’s immigration policy. While some have dismissed Trump’s deportation pledge as infeasible, Democratic attorneys general are taking him seriously and getting ready to challenge him in court. As Trump prepares to take office, he is stacking his Cabinet with immigration hardliners and planning to use executive actions to advance his deportation agenda. Democrats are closely watching his transition steps to strategize their legal challenges once he assumes office.
Trump’s plans to use the military for deportations have raised legal concerns among state prosecutors, who argue that such actions may not align with federal laws. Even some Republican lawmakers have raised objections to Trump’s military deportation plans, indicating potential bipartisan resistance. State prosecutors believe that Trump’s use of military assets for deportations is legally questionable and does not have broad public support.
Attorneys general are not looking to impede lawful immigration enforcement but are prepared to challenge Trump’s deportation plans that they believe may lead to family separations and chaos in communities. In numerous instances, attorneys general collaborate with federal authorities to tackle public safety threats and aid in apprehending and deporting criminals, a practice they have engaged in previously. While preparing for potential overreach from a second Trump administration, they acknowledge that their future actions will largely depend on how the president-elect chooses to implement his plans, which remains uncertain.
Trump’s advisers have hinted at a more “targeted” deportation approach under the Republican administration, prioritizing individuals with known or suspected national security threats and criminal backgrounds. However, attorneys general express doubt that this focus will be maintained. They express concern that Trump may expand his targets to include undocumented immigrants with long-standing roots in the country or those who entered legally, potentially leading to family separations and community turmoil.
The pledge to initiate deportation efforts in Aurora, Colorado, by Trump has raised alarms among attorneys general like Phil Weiser, who vow to closely monitor immigration officials to ensure due process is upheld. They are steadfast in their commitment to challenge any attempts to withhold federal funding from states and cities with sanctuary policies, as seen in previous legal battles during Trump’s first term.
In response to inquiries for this article, Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, emphasized the president-elect’s focus on appointing qualified attorneys to enforce the rule of law. Democratic prosecutors, supported by advocacy groups, plan to resist Trump’s immigration actions through various means, including issuing guidance to local agencies on handling federal immigration requests.
Attorneys general are also launching a campaign to counter Trump’s negative portrayal of immigrants and highlight their positive contributions to local communities. They aim to debunk misconceptions about immigrants being criminals and emphasize the economic impact of deportations on industries like agriculture, ultimately affecting consumer prices.
Andrea Campbell, Massachusetts’ attorney general, refutes the narrative that all undocumented immigrants are criminals and stresses the importance of factual representation. The efforts of attorneys general and their allies are focused on upholding the rights of immigrants and safeguarding their communities from unjust policies.
Contributions by Shia Kapos and Josh Gerstein.
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