Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined a coalition of attorneys general from 12 states in issuing a joint statement concerning a memorandum from the U.S. Department of Justice. The memo, originating from a Trump political appointee, discusses the role of state and local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement.
Ellison, along with his counterparts from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont addressed the constitutional implications of such federal directives. They emphasized that "the U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from commandeering states to enforce federal laws." This position is supported by Supreme Court precedent established in Printz v. United States.
The joint statement underscores that "the President cannot unilaterally rewrite the Constitution" and criticizes threats to use the Department of Justice's resources against public servants adhering to state laws. The attorneys general expressed their commitment to enforcing state laws independently of federal immigration policies.
"As state attorneys general," they affirmed their duty "to investigate and prosecute crimes regardless of immigration status" and stated their intention not to be swayed by what they termed as "the President’s mass deportation agenda."
This stance highlights ongoing tensions between certain state governments and federal immigration policies under the current administration.