But they are drawing a firm line at what they see as Trump’s overreach. They fear his plans could lead to family separations, chaos in some communities and violations of people’s basic rights.
“We are not going to sit idly by while the president tramples on the Constitution and violates the rights of immigrants and their families,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “We will use every tool at our disposal to protect our residents and uphold the rule of law.”
Blue-state attorneys general have a history of successfully challenging Trump’s immigration policies in court. They blocked his attempts to end the DACA program, which protects young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, and they thwarted his efforts to add a citizenship question to the census. They have also fought against his attempts to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.
Now, they are gearing up for another round of legal battles. They are honing their arguments, consulting with constitutional law experts and preparing to file lawsuits as soon as Trump takes office.
“We will not hesitate to take the president to court if he tries to implement his mass deportation plans,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said. “We have a duty to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, and we will not back down from that responsibility.”
Democratic attorneys general are also coordinating with immigrant rights groups, legal aid organizations and other stakeholders to build a united front against Trump’s deportation plans. They are sharing information, strategizing together and mobilizing their resources to mount a strong defense.
“This is a critical moment for our country, and we must stand together to resist any attempts to trample on the rights of immigrants,” Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said. “We will not allow fear and division to dictate our immigration policy. We will fight for justice and equality for all.”
As Trump prepares to take office, Democratic attorneys general are sending a clear message: they will not back down in the face of his deportation plans. They are ready to take him to court, to challenge his actions and to defend the rights of immigrants and their families. And they are determined to uphold the rule of law and protect the values that make America great.
As they brace themselves for the potential of a second Trump administration, Democratic attorneys general across the country are strategizing their next steps. Their plans hinge on how President-elect Trump will execute his immigration policies, which remains uncertain.
Trump’s team has indicated a more targeted approach to deportations, focusing on national security threats and those with criminal backgrounds. However, there is skepticism among attorneys general about the administration sticking to this plan. They fear that Trump may broaden the scope of deportations to include long-term undocumented immigrants and even legal immigrants, leading to family separations and chaos in communities.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin voiced concerns about Trump’s deportation plans, warning against targeting law-abiding citizens. He emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated. Trump’s promise to start deportations in Aurora, Colorado, where he depicted the area as a war zone overrun by a Venezuelan gang, has raised alarms among state attorneys general. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized the importance of ensuring due process for all individuals, labeling any denial of rights as un-American.
Attorneys general from various states are also gearing up for potential funding battles with the federal government. Trump had previously threatened to withhold funding from sanctuary cities and states with immigration policies that limit cooperation with federal authorities. Despite legal setbacks in the past, California Attorney General Rob Bonta affirmed their commitment to challenging any attempts to withhold funding.
In response to these concerns, Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, highlighted the administration’s focus on enforcing the rule of law through experienced Department of Justice nominees. However, Democratic prosecutors are prepared to resist through legal challenges and advocacy efforts. They plan to provide guidance to state and local agencies on handling immigration requests to impede Trump’s immigration actions.
Moreover, Democratic attorneys general are pushing back against Trump’s negative portrayal of immigrants as criminals. They are promoting the positive contributions of immigrants to local communities and the economy. By highlighting the role of immigrant labor in industries like agriculture, they aim to debunk Trump’s narrative of criminality among immigrants.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell emphasized the falsehood of associating all undocumented immigrants with criminal activity. She stressed the importance of combating such misconceptions and standing up for immigrant communities.
In conclusion, Democratic attorneys general are gearing up for potential challenges under a second Trump administration. Their strategies include legal resistance, advocacy efforts, and messaging campaigns to protect immigrant rights and uphold the rule of law.
