New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, spearheaded a coalition of 11 attorneys general in rebuking a recent memorandum from a Trump-era political appointee at the U.S. Department of Justice. The joint statement, endorsed by attorneys general from Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont, emphasized the constitutional limits on federal powers regarding state and local involvement in immigration enforcement.
Citing the precedent set by the Supreme Court in Printz v. United States, the attorneys general underscored that while federal authorities may enforce immigration laws using federal resources, they cannot compel state and local officials to do so. This distinction, they argued, is a cornerstone of American federalism, ensuring that state governments retain autonomy in enforcing their own laws without federal coercion.
“The President cannot unilaterally rewrite the Constitution,” the statement asserted, pushing back against perceived threats to misuse federal prosecutorial powers against state officials following state laws. The attorneys general expressed concern that such actions could undermine community trust and deter cooperation with law enforcement.
“We will not be distracted by the President’s mass deportation agenda,” the coalition affirmed, vowing to uphold state laws and continue investigating and prosecuting crimes regardless of individuals’ immigration status.
The joint statement concluded with a warning that, while current threats remain theoretical, any move towards illegal actions would prompt swift responses from the states involved.
The memorandum in question has reignited debates over federal-state relations and the limits of executive authority in immigration enforcement, setting the stage for potential legal challenges in the coming months.
