Attorney General Ashley Moody has taken a stand against what she perceives as the Biden administration's questionable tactics regarding border policies. In response to the administration's actions, Moody filed an amicus brief in support of Intervenor States, aiming to prevent what she describes as "shadowy gamesmanship" in handling the border crisis.
Moody expressed her concerns, stating, “This administration has repeatedly shown that it cannot be trusted, especially as it relates to defending the sovereignty of our nation and safety of our citizens." She further emphasized the need for states to be involved in settlement negotiations regarding border policies to protect the safety of their citizens and communities.
The Biden administration's handling of the "Circumvention of Lawful Pathways" rule has raised eyebrows, with the Ninth Circuit Judge Lawrence VanDyke questioning the sudden change in position. VanDyke highlighted the potential political motivations behind the administration's actions, stating, “The government’s sudden and severe change in position looks a lot like a purely politically motivated attempt to throw the game at the last minute.”
In response to the developments, a coalition of attorneys general from various states, including Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Kansas, and West Virginia, filed a motion to intervene. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall criticized the administration for engaging in closed-door settlement talks that could weaken border security.
Attorney General Moody, leading a coalition of 17 states, filed an amicus brief in support of the Intervenor States, emphasizing the need to protect sovereign interests and mitigate illegal immigration. The attorneys general from Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Virginia joined Moody in this initiative.
The amicus brief reflects the concerns shared by multiple states regarding the Biden administration's approach to border policies and the potential impact on national security.