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Local Prosecutors Launch Initiative Against Federal Immigration Enforcement Tactics
A coalition of local prosecutors launched a program Wednesday aimed at challenging what they describe as federal overreach in recent immigration enforcement operations across the country. The initiative, named “Fight Against Federal Overreach,” represents a direct response to tactics that the prosecutors characterize as unconstitutional.
The group, which includes Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, has expressed growing concern about aggressive immigration enforcement methods, particularly in Minneapolis and surrounding areas. Their concerns have intensified following the deaths of two civilians – Alex Pretti on Saturday and Renee Good – at the hands of federal officers.
“I’m never before seen the law enforcement tactics and attitude recently apparent in U.S. cities,” said Krasner, a founding member of the coalition. He criticized officers who conceal their faces and badge numbers as “unprofessional,” suggesting they have received “bad orders from authorities with a poor understanding of the law.”
The prosecutors pointed to Vice President JD Vance’s declaration that these officers have immunity from prosecution, which they view as particularly troubling. Krasner emphasized that traditional federal oversight has disappeared under the current administration.
“A functional Department of Justice, gone. Functional United States attorneys offices applying the law in an even-handed way, gone,” Krasner said. “It used to be, you could rely on the federal government to rein in rogue sheriffs who are killing people on the side of the road… but now the federal government are the rogue sheriffs.”
The recent fatalities have sparked massive protests and drawn criticism from officials across the political spectrum, including Republicans. The situation intensified after federal officials denied Minnesota investigators access to the scenes of the fatal shootings and indicated that the Justice Department’s Civil Rights division would not investigate the incidents, breaking with longstanding practice.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the prosecutors’ accusations. However, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal leaders have defended the enforcement practices as constitutional and necessary.
The prosecutors’ group includes district attorneys from multiple jurisdictions including Austin, Texas, and several Virginia counties. They argue that the actions of immigration officers are having significant negative impacts on the criminal justice system beyond just immigration enforcement.
Krasner noted that immigration agents have been monitoring courthouse proceedings and arresting individuals just outside the buildings. This practice, he explained, has created a chilling effect on crime reporting, as victims, witnesses, and even defendants fear coming to court.
The prosecutors also expressed concerns about other practices, including warrantless entries and unlawful detentions, which they characterize as coercive enforcement tactics.
“I think what we are feeling is the same thing the country is feeling,” Krasner said. “We are in general underreacting, though the country seems to be getting it right now. It’s as if they were willing to be pushed and pushed and pushed, and they were pushed off a cliff… and it’s now too far.”
The initiative’s name appears to be a deliberate play on an obscene acronym that has become popular in memes and has reportedly been used by Trump administration officials to taunt opponents.
The formation of this coalition marks a significant moment in which local prosecutors are stepping into what they see as a gap created by federal authorities’ failure to provide oversight. Krasner specifically pointed to the importance of state-level prosecutions, noting that there is no federal pardon power for state convictions, potentially giving local prosecutors leverage in holding federal agents accountable for actions they deem unlawful.
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10 Comments
This is a concerning development. Local prosecutors need to stand up for their communities and push back against federal overreach. Immigration enforcement tactics that disregard constitutional rights and endanger civilians are unacceptable.
Agreed. The federal government shouldn’t be able to override local authorities and violate citizens’ rights. This coalition is taking an important stand.
This seems like a politically-charged issue. While I appreciate the prosecutors’ desire to protect their communities, I hope they approach this in a nonpartisan, fact-based way rather than making it a partisan fight.
That’s an important point. Keeping the focus on upholding the law and citizens’ rights, rather than political agendas, will be crucial for this initiative to be effective.
This is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. While I understand the prosecutors’ concerns, I also think the federal government has a role to play in enforcing immigration laws. Hopefully this initiative can find a reasonable middle ground.
That’s a fair perspective. Any enforcement needs to be done legally and with respect for civil liberties. Finding the right balance will be crucial.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific tactics and constitutional violations the prosecutors are alleging. What evidence do they have of federal overreach, and how do they plan to challenge it through this initiative?
Those are good questions. More details on the alleged abuses and the legal strategy would help shed light on the merits of this coalition’s actions.
I’m glad to see local prosecutors taking action against these heavy-handed federal immigration tactics. Concealing badge numbers and using excessive force is a troubling sign of abuse of power that needs to be challenged.
Absolutely. The public deserves transparency and accountability from law enforcement, not secretive operations that put innocent lives at risk.