Blue-state lawmakers push nearly 250 pro-migrant bills to curb federal immigration actions

A review by the left-leaning State Futures organization counted 242 pro-migrant bills introduced in 32 blue-state legislatures, with about a fifth already enacted. State Democrats have largely championed the proposals, which aim to prohibit federal law-enforcement officers from wearing masks, prevent the use of undercover license plates, restrict ICE's access to government property, and block the creation of new detention facilities.

Federal officials have responded with legal challenges, and in several states Democratic governors have vetoed measures they view as overreaching. Activist law firms have flooded the courts with thousands of lawsuits targeting the Trump administration's immigration agenda, a strategy bolstered by judges appointed by Barack Obama and Joe Biden who have ruled against ICE in the overwhelming majority of cases. DHS general counsel James Percival warned that the tactic is to “run out the clock” by filling courts with “crazy district judges.” The wave of legislation underscores a deep partisan clash over immigration policy.