The U.S. Department of Justice filed separate lawsuits against Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington after those states refused to issue undercover license plates to federal agents. The lawsuits allege the states imposed unconstitutional restrictions that impede law enforcement and threaten agent safety. The Department claims the states are obstructing federal immigration enforcement despite immigration and border control being an exclusive federal power. The Department also argues the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause prevents states from regulating federal law enforcement. Massachusetts said its lawyers are reviewing the complaint and will defend the RMV policy to the greatest extent possible. Other states defended their policies but did not immediately comment on the federal action.
"The Department of Justice alleges in separate lawsuits filed Wednesday that Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington state are imposing unconstitutional restrictions that it says impede law enforcement and threaten agents' safety. The Justice Department filed individual suits in U.S. district courts in the respective states. The four state governments are accused of trying "to obstruct the Federal Government's immigration enforcement efforts, even though control over immigration and the nation's borders is an exclusive federal power.""
"By denying undercover license plates to DHS components, including ICE, while issuing them to their own state agencies, these governors are pursuing discriminatory and obstructionist policies against federal law enforcement, said acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in a statement. These actions undermine federal immigration enforcement, allow dangerous criminals to escape justice, and terrorize American communities, Blanche added."
"Additionally, the Justice Department argues in the suits that the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause bars state governments from regulating federal law enforcement. A spokesperson for Massachusetts Attorney General Joy Campbell said the state's lawyers are "reviewing the complaint and will defend the RMV policy to the greatest extent possible." Officials in other states have defended their policies but did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the federal action."
#immigration-enforcement #federal-vs-state-authority #undercover-license-plates #constitutional-law #department-of-justice-lawsuits
Read at Boston.com
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