### Blue-State Attorneys General Poised to Challenge Trump's Deportation Plans

Democratic attorneys general across blue states are gearing up to confront Donald Trump's proposed immigration policies through a series of legal actions. With Trump ready to implement mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, these state prosecutors are preparing to counter his efforts in court, focusing on accusations of misusing military troops on domestic soil and infringing on constitutional rights.

In interviews conducted by POLITICO, six prominent blue-state attorneys general expressed their readiness to contest any misuse of local or state law enforcement by the federal government and potential attempts to federalize the National Guard. They are also preparing to oppose Trump if he mobilizes military units from red states into blue states and sends immigration agents into schools and hospitals targeting vulnerable communities.

One of the core concerns of the Democratic attorneys general is Trump's strategy of withholding federal funding from local law enforcement agencies to compel them to participate in immigration enforcement, a tactic he tried unsuccessfully during his first term. This preparation underscores the significant role state prosecutors will play in shaping U.S. immigration policy under a new Trump administration. Raúl Torrez, New Mexico's Attorney General and a former federal prosecutor, emphasized the importance of aligning immigration enforcement with American values and laws, a stance he believes Trump is not following.

Despite some skepticism about the feasibility of Trump's mass deportation plans, Democratic attorneys general are taking his promises seriously. They are preparing legal briefs and analyzing potential courts for their lawsuits, anticipating actions that could affect around 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Trump's transition team is expected to focus on crafting executive actions that can withstand legal challenges. However, the steps he takes, including cabinet appointments of immigration hardliners and intentions to declare a national emergency to expedite deportations, provide ample material for Democratic attorneys general to build their counter-strategies. Trump's plans also include invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 and terminating parole options for certain nationalities.

Trump’s border-czar-in-waiting, Tom Homan, has promised to intensify workplace raids. Stephen Miller, poised to become the deputy chief of policy, has discussed utilizing the National Guard for immigration enforcement, potentially bypassing legal restrictions on military involvement in domestic law enforcement by citing the Insurrection Act.

State prosecutors argue that Trump's strategies are legally unsound and would challenge any moves to deploy the military for deportations. Notably, GOP Senator Rand Paul has also criticized Trump's plan, suggesting potential bipartisan resistance.

Legal battles over federal funding are also anticipated. Trump previously attempted, unsuccessfully, to impose immigration enforcement requirements on grants for local law enforcement. Attorneys general from states like California and Colorado have vowed to resist any similar efforts. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser plans to ensure that due process is upheld, calling any denial "unAmerican," while California Attorney General Rob Bonta pledged to continue fighting against such funding threats.

Beyond courtroom battles, advocacy groups like the ACLU are urging attorneys general to use additional tools to complicate Trump's immigration plans, including issuing guidance to state and local agencies on handling federal immigration requests. They are also working on messaging campaigns to counter Trump's portrayal of immigrants and highlight the essential roles immigrants play in the American economy.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin underscored the broad impact of Trump's proposed mass deportations, warning that targeting long-time residents and families could lead to significant disruptions. Blue-state attorneys general appear resolved to defend both the legal rights of immigrants and the integrity of their communities against the incoming administration's policies.