Republican Attorneys General Unite to Support Trump’s Immigration Strategy
FIRST ON FOX: A coalition of twenty Republican attorneys general has come together to voice their commitment to enhancing President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies. This joint declaration, led by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, emphasizes a coordinated effort to counteract the Biden administration’s approach to immigration.
Critique of Biden Administration’s Immigration Policies
The letter distributed to Fox News Digital highlights what the Republican AGs perceive as a significant weakening of border controls under the current administration. “The Biden Administration took dozens of executive actions that weakened border controls and sanctioned illegal immigration from around the world,” the AGs state in their message.
The letter also notes that Republican attorneys general have actively challenged the Biden administration’s immigration policies in court. “Republican attorneys general fought back by taking the Biden Administration to court for ending successful Trump Administration immigration policies and replacing them with new policies that violated the law and encouraged illegal immigration. The Republican attorneys general prevailed in virtually every one of these cases,” they assert.
Restoring Trump’s “America First” Approach
In a notable reaffirmation of Trump’s previous policies, the AGs have expressed readiness to restore the “Remain in Mexico” policy and resume mass deportations. Kobach emphasized the legal basis for such measures, stating, “The Remain in Mexico policy is something that’s found in federal statute, and it’s been in federal statute since 1996. President Trump was the first president who actually implemented that policy set by Congress.” He further suggested that Trump possesses the necessary statutory authority to reinstate these immigration measures upon taking office.
“President Trump has all the statutory tools he needs,” Kobach asserted. “They are already in the federal code, and that’s what we’re saying too. As lawyers who have been trying to stop the Biden administration from violating the law, we are saying, ‘President Trump, you have our support, and you have a wide open runway ahead of you to renew the enforcement of our federal immigration laws.'” This indicates a strong collaborative spirit among the AGs in pushing for more stringent immigration enforcement.
Anticipating DACA Rescission
Another critical issue raised by the coalition is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which they hope Trump will fully rescind as promised during his prior term. Established in 2012 under the Obama administration, DACA allows individuals brought to the U.S. illegally as children—often referred to as “Dreamers”—to remain in the country temporarily. The Republican AGs have vowed to advocate for its dismantling as part of a broader commitment to change immigration policy.
A Broad Coalition of Support
In addition to Kobach, attorneys general from states including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Tennessee have all signed the joint statement, demonstrating widespread support for this initiative.
Track Record of Legal Challenges Against the Biden Administration
Republican attorneys general have been at the forefront of filing lawsuits against the Biden administration during the past four years, a trend that illustrates their persistent resistance to the administration’s policies. For example, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently filed his 103rd lawsuit against the Biden administration concerning its energy efficiency standards for housing.
The coalition has celebrated several legal victories against the administration’s policies. In 2021, for instance, a group led by former Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry obtained a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land. Furthermore, Paxton achieved a significant legal win in May 2024, when a federal judge allowed discovery in a lawsuit alleging unlawful censorship by the administration.
In a recent decision, a federal judge vacated the administration’s Title IX rule, which had expanded protections against discrimination based on gender identity, following challenges from Republican-led states. These cases reflect the efficacy and strategic intent of Republican AGs in navigating legal frameworks to counter perceived overreach by the Biden administration.
The Future of Immigration Policy
“I think what the 20 or so attorneys general signing this statement represent is what the law is and what the law requires,” Kobach stated, reinforcing the notion that the AGs are advocating for a return to strict adherence to immigration laws as laid out by Congress. He expressed gratitude and optimism for Trump’s potential presidency, expecting that it would return the country to a state where immigration laws are enforced and respected.
Conclusion
The joint statement by the twenty Republican attorneys general signals a robust initiative to reshape immigration policy in the coming administration. With a unified front, they seek to restore and reinforce Trump’s immigration policies while challenging the actions taken by the Biden administration. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the focus on immigration remains at the forefront of Republican objectives, setting the stage for a contentious debate around border control and enforcement in American society.
