Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has become part of a 27-state initiative, joining a brief presented to the U.S. Supreme Court. This brief aims to defend actions taken by the Trump administration concerning the deportation of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang recently named as a foreign terrorist organization. In tandem, the group of attorneys general is urging for the reversal of a district court's temporary restraining order, which currently impedes President Trump’s efforts against this gang.
The brief brought forth by these states argues against the district court’s decision, suggesting it unjustly narrows the executive branch’s power over national security. It asserts that controlling immigration enforcement is an intrinsic executive duty, and judicial intervention risks limiting the President's capacity to address immigration-related issues effectively. According to the attorneys general, allowing the lower court’s ruling to persist could establish a negative precedent, weakening the federal government’s capacity to manage immigration.
Steve Marshall voiced his concerns over the court's decision. “This is about more than just one policy — this is about preserving the President’s ability to enforce the law. If the judiciary can strip the executive branch of its power to control immigration, it won’t stop there. The very foundation of our constitutional system is at risk if courts overstep their bounds and substitute their own policy preferences for the rule of law.”
General Marshall has consistently advocated for stringent immigration control, emphasizing its importance for public safety and lawful operations. By backing this amicus brief, he reiterates his dedication to ensuring that immigration laws are upheld according to federal mandates, preventing judicial overreach from disturbing constitutional power balances.
Marshall argues that the district court’s decision interrupts the President’s constitutional and statutory authority. The President is authorized to take measures against foreign threats, such as transnational criminal entities like Tren de Aragua.
Alongside Alabama, the brief led by South Carolina and Virginia is supported by 25 other states: Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.