Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has taken a bold stance against President-elect Donald Trump's proposed immigration enforcement policies, expressing her opposition to initiatives she perceives as threatening to Dreamers and the broader immigrant community.
The top legal official in Arizona voiced her commitment to protect DACA recipients and uphold due process amid concerns about proposed measures to enforce stringent new immigration policies, as Fox News reports.
Mayes, a member of the Democratic Party, has made her opposition clear, particularly against the construction of facilities in Arizona intended for deportation. In the past, she has characterized these centers using strong language that suggests oppression.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, established by former President Obama, is central to Mayes' protective stance. Dreamers, primarily young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, benefit from DACA. These individuals have been living and working in the country under the initiative, which finds its legislative roots in the longstanding -- but as yet unpassed -- DREAM Act first proposed in 2001.
The DREAM Act, which seeks to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented minors, was most recently reintroduced in 2023 by Sens. Richard Durbin and Lindsey Graham. This indicates ongoing legislative interest in ensuring protections for immigrant youth.
Mayes has pledged to employ every legal avenue to prevent measures such as the separation of families or establishing deportation centers. "Not on our soil," she emphasized, underscoring her commitment to safeguarding DACA beneficiaries. Throughout her campaign, she has reiterated her resolve to act "legally" to shield these individuals from such measures.
Compounding her declarative stance, Mayes has voiced a collaborative approach, partnering with her New Mexico and California counterparts, AG Raúl Torrez and AG Rob Bonta. Their unified effort seeks to bolster due process and protect individual rights, standing in contrast to the approach taken by Texas AG Ken Paxton.
Mayes has openly shared her concerns about the misguidedness of mass deportation initiatives, suggesting they present opportunities for potential abuses. A focal point of her argument is the need to address other pressing issues, such as the ongoing fentanyl crisis and concerns about border security, rather than resorting to extreme measures like deploying the National Guard for broad deportations.
Despite being unwavering in her opposition, Mayes remains hopeful that judicial review will uphold protections for DACA recipients. She pointed towards the Supreme Court's previous decision, which blocked Trump's endeavor to dismantle DACA, as a potential indicator of future favorable outcomes for Dreamers.
Furthermore, she has pointed out that Arizonans, when voting, did not intend to endorse any deviation from constitutional norms. In her view, such actions would equate to undermining both the Arizona and U.S. Constitutions.
Echoing this sentiment, she stated that she believes voters did not support unconstitutional actions when giving their backing to Trump. Mayes emphasized the importance of allowing the judiciary "the opportunity to make the right decision," signaling optimism that legal arguments in support of Dreamers will yield positive results.
The discourse surrounding immigration policy, specifically relating to Dreamers, is poised to be a significant area of legal challenge and political activity. As Mayes' statements demonstrate, there is a clear line drawn regarding what measures will face resistance at the state level in Arizona.
As events unfold, Mayes' preparations indicate a readiness to engage vigorously in legal efforts to maintain current protections for Dreamers. Her remarks have clarified the state's position, drawing attention to the complexities and potential conflicts that may arise under Trump's proposed policies. Ultimately, the dialogue around this pressing legal and constitutional issue continues to evolve, with Arizona's leadership playing a pivotal role in the defense of immigrant rights and due process.
