Attorney General Charity Clark has united with 18 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts. The brief contests the Trump Administration’s "Ideological Deportation Policy," which impacts noncitizens, particularly students and faculty, based on their political expressions.
The coalition argues that the policy infringes upon the First Amendment, adversely affecting educational institutions, public health, safety, and religious freedoms. The policy, structured around Executive Orders 14161 and 14188, focuses on assessing foreign nationals based on ideological criteria rather than imminent safety concerns and mandates investigations and deportations.
The group highlights the policy's repercussions, such as the revocation of over 800 visas based on protected speech, leaving individuals susceptible to arrest and expulsion. Among the affected is Rümeysa Öztürk, a student from Tufts University, detained without prior notification of her visa's annulment.
The coalition raises concerns about the negative impact on public safety and health, noting that fear of deportation may deter noncitizens from assisting law enforcement or reporting crimes. Moreover, the healthcare sector, which heavily relies on noncitizen workers, is at risk, given that over a million immigrants are part of the workforce.
The attorneys general, emphasizing the substantial contributions of noncitizens to their states, urge for the policy's annulment due to its potential lasting damages.
Participating attorneys general include representatives from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. The full amicus brief is accessible for public viewing.