As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to form his administration, Republican governors and lawmakers in various states are introducing proposals aimed at supporting his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
Legislators in multiple states are suggesting granting local law enforcement the authority to arrest individuals who entered the country illegally. Some bills also call for mandatory notification to federal immigration officials when an undocumented person is taken into custody, regardless of the reason for their arrest.
While not directly requested by Trump, many of these state initiatives align with his immigration policies. For instance, a proposed bill in Missouri would establish a new state crime of 'improper entry by an alien,' punishable by fines and deportation.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates that around 11 million unauthorized immigrants reside in the country. During his campaign, Trump advocated for a significant deportation program, including the involvement of the National Guard and domestic police forces.
Democratic-led states like California are already taking steps to resist potential Trump policies, such as increasing legal aid for immigrants facing deportation.
Several Republican-led states, inspired by Texas, have passed laws allowing law enforcement to arrest undocumented individuals. Texas' Operation Lone Star, a border security program, has served as a model for other states seeking to enhance immigration enforcement.
While some states are moving to cooperate with Trump's immigration agenda, others are pushing back. Democratic governors in states like Kansas and Wisconsin are expressing reluctance to support sweeping deportation plans, emphasizing the importance of undocumented immigrants in various sectors of the economy.
As the debate over immigration enforcement continues at the state level, advocacy groups are voicing concerns about the potential impact of these measures on immigrant communities.
