AGs issue joint statement on mandate that states cooperate with immigration officials

January 23, 2025 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
Attorney General Letitia James. Photo: Mary Altaffer/AP
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NATIONWIDE — NEW YORK’S ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES has led a coalition of 11 state counterparts in resisting a Trump political appointee’s mandate that local law enforcement assist in federal immigration enforcement.

The joint statement reads: “It is well-established — through longstanding Supreme Court precedent — that the U.S. Constitution [particularly the 10th Amendment] prevents the federal government from commandeering states to enforce federal laws. While the federal government may use its own resources for federal immigration enforcement, the court ruled in Printz v. United States that the federal government cannot ‘impress into its service—and at no cost to itself—the police officers of the 50 States.’ This balance of power between the federal government and state governments is a touchstone of our American system of federalism. Despite what he may say to the contrary, the President cannot unilaterally re-write the Constitution. The President has made troubling threats to weaponize the U.S. Department of Justice’s prosecutorial authority and resources to attack public servants acting in compliance with their state laws, interfering with their ability to build trust with the communities they serve and protect. Right now, these vague threats are just that: empty words on paper. But rest assured, our states will not hesitate to respond if these words become illegal actions.”

Joining Attorney General James and California Attorney General Bonta in the joint statement are the attorneys general of: Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont.

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