JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - As President-elect Donald Trump assembles his administration, Republican governors and lawmakers in some states are already rolling out proposals that could help him carry out his pledge to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally.
Lawmakers in a growing number of states are proposing to give local law officers the power to arrest people who entered the country illegally, mirroring recent laws in Texas and elsewhere that have been placed on hold while courts weigh whether they unconstitutionally usurp federal authority.
Other legislation filed ahead of next year's legislative sessions would require local law enforcement agencies to notify federal immigration officials when they take someone into custody who is in the country illegally, even if the charges have nothing to do with their immigration status. Though not specifically requested by Trump, many of the state proposals would complement his immigration policies.
"We would be finding people who are in violation of this law, and we would be sort of hand-delivering them to the nearest port of deportation so that they could be removed in a safe and orderly fashion," said Missouri state Sen. Curtis Trent, who is sponsoring one of the proposals.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates that 11 million unauthorized immigrants were living in the U.S. as of 2022, the latest statistics available. While campaigning, Trump talked about creating "the largest mass deportation program in history" and called for using the National Guard and domestic police forces in the effort.
Some Democratic-led states already are raising resistance. The California Legislature has convened a special session to try to shield people from potential Trump policies, including by boosting legal aid for immigrants facing deportation.
"If they're here illegally, it definitely should trigger something more than it does now," said Missouri's Republican Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe after campaigning against illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling across the U.S. border.
Immigrant advocacy groups already are raising alarm about some state proposals. Missouri's proposed bounty system would "create absolute chaos and division," said Ashley DeAzevedo, president of American Families United, which advocates for U.S. citizens married to foreign nationals.
Although many Americans support a path to citizenship for people living in the U.S. illegally, support for deportation also has grown according to AP VoteCast surveys conducted during elections.
A Model from Texas
Many Republicans point to Texas as a model for immigration enforcement with its $11 billion Operation Lone Star program involving barriers along borders and arrests made by law officers.
"Texas' border security tactics can be a model for Trump's administration," stated Tom Homan during his visit last month.
State Legislative Actions
- Iowa: Passed measures allowing law officers arresting those illegally present.
- Louisiana: Similar measures passed.
- Oklahoma: Governor working on plans regarding non-citizens incarcerated.
- Arizona: Approved ballot measure letting police arrest migrants suspected entering illegally.
- Nebraska & Utah: Initiatives improving coordination between local officers & federal authorities announced.