California AG: DOJ prosecution threats over immigration enforcement a 'scare tactic'
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the Trump administration was employing a “scare tactic” following a recent memo from the Department of Justice that outlined pathways to prosecution for state officials who refuse to comply with federal immigration officers.
“The President is attempting to intimidate and bully state and local law enforcement into carrying out his mass deportation agenda for him,” Bonta said in a statement to Politico.
California has a law that gives local law enforcement leeway in not complying with federal immigration authorities, including in “sanctuary cities” that serve as safe havens for undocumented immigrants.
Bonta said the state’s law does not prevent officials from conducting immigration enforcement or other measures to ensure the safety of residents, but that it also prevents local enforcement officials from having to do the jobs of the federal government.
“SB 54 does not prevent state and local law enforcement from investigating and prosecuting crimes,” Bonta said in a statement to Politico. “Nor does it prevent federal agencies from conducting immigration enforcement themselves; what it says is that they cannot make us do their jobs for them.”
Bonta has joined a group of 21 other Democratic AGs to sue the president over this week's executive order aiming to deny birthright citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants. The American Civil Liberties Union also filed a similar lawsuit.
Topics
-
DHS allows US Marshals, DEA and ATF to carry out immigration enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security is allowing certain law enforcement components from the Department of Justice to carry out the "functions" of an immigration officer.ABC News - 3h -
Trump issues more immigration orders, while enforcement details remain unclear
President Donald Trump signed more executive orders aimed at shutting down the southern border, but the details on how migrants would be blocked from crossing remain unclear.NBC News - 3h -
Former top DOJ immigration official says she was removed with no explanation
A former top DOJ immigration official who was removed from her position by new leadership tells ABC News that she did not receive any explanation for her removal.ABC News - 1d -
DOJ threatens to prosecute officials who resist Trump's immigration agenda
The Justice Department's new leadership directed prosecutors to potentially charge state or local officials who impede President Trump's immigration policies.CBS News - 1d -
DOJ to investigate local officials who won’t enforce Trump immigration policies: Report
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is directing federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who won’t enforce the Trump administration’s immigration policies, according to a memo ...The Hill - 1d -
Trump administration directs Justice Department to step up immigration enforcement
The Trump administration is directing the Justice Department to dramatically boost its efforts on immigration enforcement, making it an agency top priority.NBC News - 1d -
DoJ says it will prosecute officials who resist Trump’s immigration crackdown
Justice department directive comes amid slate of executive orders targeting US immigrants and asylum seekers. US politics live – latest updates Trump’s immigration orders designed to sow chaos ...The Guardian - 1d -
Multiple immigration-related DOJ officials removed as part of Trump overhaul: Source
Multiple officials in the DOJ office that oversees immigration courts have been removed from their positions as part of the Trump administration's overhaul, sources say.ABC News - 2d -
Trump’s pick for DoJ to face scrutiny on vow to prosecute his opponents
Pam Bondi called for investigations into lawyers who built cases against the president-electFinancial Times - Jan. 15
More from The Hill
-
De Blasio: New Yorkers won't accept 'mass deportations'
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said on Thursday that New Yorkers won’t accept “mass deportations,” even as Mayor Eric Adams (D) pledges to work with President Trump’s administration ...The Hill - 46m -
Trump wants nuclear reduction talks with China, Russia
President Trump while addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday said that he wants to hold talks with Russia and China about reducing nuclear weapon stockpiles. Trump during his ...The Hill - 48m -
How Trump can end Biden’s war on innovation
The policies of the last four years, ranging from technology giveaways to taxpayer-funded patent infringement, have killed good-paying jobs and driven investment out of key high-tech fields.The Hill - 49m -
Senate panel sets hearing on Tulsi Gabbard nomination
The Senate Intelligence Committee has scheduled a hearing to review the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence. The Jan. 30 hearing comes after Democrats ...The Hill - 1h -
Trump: 'We have to get Democrats' to approve tax cuts
President Trump said Thursday he’s working with Democrats on extending and building off of his 2017 tax cuts — one of the top legislative priorities for Republicans, who are split on many of the ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
California Senate Insurance Committee still without leader amid corruption probe, insurance crisis
As California faces the largest insurance crisis in the state's history, there is still no leader of the state Senate Insurance Committee. Half committee members are new to the committee, the ...CBS News - 16m -
De Blasio: New Yorkers won't accept 'mass deportations'
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said on Thursday that New Yorkers won’t accept “mass deportations,” even as Mayor Eric Adams (D) pledges to work with President Trump’s administration ...The Hill - 46m -
Trump wants nuclear reduction talks with China, Russia
President Trump while addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday said that he wants to hold talks with Russia and China about reducing nuclear weapon stockpiles. Trump during his ...The Hill - 48m -
How Trump can end Biden’s war on innovation
The policies of the last four years, ranging from technology giveaways to taxpayer-funded patent infringement, have killed good-paying jobs and driven investment out of key high-tech fields.The Hill - 49m -
Senate panel sets hearing on Tulsi Gabbard nomination
The Senate Intelligence Committee has scheduled a hearing to review the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence. The Jan. 30 hearing comes after Democrats ...The Hill - 1h