Eleven Democratic states issued a statement Thursday criticizing the Trump administration's “vague” threats related to possible prosecution for failure to comply with immigration enforcement.
The statement was signed by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The document references a recent Justice Department memo directing federal prosecutors to investigate state and local officials who refuse to implement President Donald Trump's immigration policies, including his mass deportation plan.
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“At this point, these vague threats are just empty words on paper,” the statement said. “But rest assured, if these words become illegal, our country will not hesitate to respond.”
In a memo, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emile Bove, a former defense attorney for President Trump, wrote that “federal law does not allow state and local actors to resist, obstruct, or otherwise violate lawful rules. Disobedience is prohibited.” Immigration related commands And, for example, it calls for broad Article II powers for the president regarding foreign affairs and national security, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the Foreign Enemies Act. ”
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Bove said the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice's Litigation Division will investigate cases involving such misconduct for potential prosecution, including for violating federal law and interfering with federal functions. said.
The attorney general cited Prinz v. United States and said the federal government cannot force immigration enforcement actions on local or state authorities.
“The president cannot unilaterally rewrite the Constitution, even if he says the contrary,” they wrote.
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“The President has made alarming threats to weaponize the prosecutorial powers and resources of the U.S. Department of Justice to attack public officials acting in accordance with state law and to disrupt their ability to build trust with the communities they serve and protect. Ta.”
Fox News Digital's Jake Gibson, David Spunt and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
