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Tracker

Response Center

Real-time analysis of Trump-Vance administration actions, to support legal challenges and provide resources for the pro-democracy community.

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The Trump-Vance Administration is trying to

Prioritize federal immigration law enforcement at the expense of law enforcement priorities and states’ rights

Let others know:

https://democracy2025.org/response-center/2HPiXs

What we know

This memo directs U.S. Attorneys to prioritize immigration-related offenses and threatens local officials with prosecution if they do not enforce federal immigration policies.

Formal Name

Interim Policy Changes Regarding Charging, Sentencing, and Immigration Enforcement

Status
Challenged
Formal Identifier

January 21, 2025

Anticipated Impact

As an initial matter, by directing Department of Justice (DOJ) officials and federal-state taskforces to prioritize the enforcement of immigration-related offenses with this memo, DOJ is de-prioritizing and undermining the enforcement of many other laws that keep our communities safe. Additionally, this memo tries to compel, under the threat of prosecution, state and local officials to enforce federal immigration law. Such coercion undermines the ability of local and state law enforcement to prioritize what they need to in order to keep their communities safe. Taken as a whole, this DOJ memo reads as an attempt to threaten, if not prohibit, cities across America from providing sanctuary to those in this country seeking refuge.

By the Numbers

Partner Analysis

People are fighting back

How communities are responding

Democracy 2025 and our partners are ready to counter threats to people's rights, justice, and equality in courtrooms and communities across the country. Learn more about how people and communities are responding to this harmful policy:

Join the Fight for Democracy

Help us counter unlawful, anti-democratic actions from the Trump-Vance administration and protect people, freedom, and justice.

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