Minnesota, California AGs Reject Trump's Immigration Enforcement Demands

In response to a memorandum from the Trump administration threatening to prosecute state and local officials who resist federal immigration enforcement, attorneys general from Minnesota and California, along with a coalition of ten other states, declared they would not comply with such directives. They argued that the U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from forcing states to enforce federal laws, citing the Supreme Court case Printz v. United States. California Attorney General Rob Bonta characterized the administration's actions as intimidation tactics aimed at coercing local law enforcement into supporting mass deportations, reaffirming that California law prohibits using state funds for federal immigration enforcement. State officials in California and Minnesota emphasized their commitment to protecting local communities regardless of immigration status and vowed to continue enforcing state laws. The pushback from these states reflects a broader resistance to the Trump administration's immigration policies, especially among sanctuary jurisdictions. Local leaders expressed determination to uphold their policies in the face of federal threats, emphasizing the dignity and safety of all community members.