Eleven Democratic states on Thursday issued a statement criticizing “vague” threats from the Trump administration related to possible prosecution for noncompliance with immigration enforcement.
The statement was signed by the state attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
We worked on a recent Justice Department memo directing federal prosecutors to investigate state and local officials who refuse to enforce President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, including the HS Mass Deptation Plan.
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“Right now, these vague threats are just that: empty words on paper,” the statement said. “But rest assured, our state will not hesitate to respond when these words become illegal actions.”
In the memo, Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former Trump defense attorney, wrote that “federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and , the president’s extensive Article II authorities regarding foreign affairs and national security, immigration and nationality laws, and alien enemies.”
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Bove said the U.S. attorney’s office and the “Department of Justice Litigation Elements Litigation will investigate cases involving such misconduct for potential prosecution, including violating federal law and interfering with federal functions.” ”.
The Attorney General, Prinzv. Citing United States, it said the federal government cannot compel local or state authorities to pursue immigration cases.
“Despite what he may say to the contrary, the president cannot unilaterally rewrite the Constitution,” they wrote.
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“The president has a troubling threat to weaponize the prosecutorial agencies and resources of the U.S. Department of Justice to attack public officials acting in compliance with state law and the communities they serve, protect, and protect.” It’s interfering with your ability to build trust.”
Fox News Digital’s Jake Gibson, David Spunt and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
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