
Democrat attorneys general are gearing up for a legal showdown against Trump’s mass deportation plans, but their party’s immigration stance has undergone a dramatic shift over the years.
At a Glance
- Democrat AGs prepare legal challenges to Trump’s proposed mass deportations
- Past Democratic leaders, including Clinton and Obama, advocated tough immigration policies
- Trump’s current stance shows surprising similarities to historical Democratic positions
- Democrats have shifted from deportation advocacy to sanctuary city support
- Legal battles expected over federal funding and potential constitutional violations
The Pendulum Swing of Democratic Immigration Policy
In a startling turn of events, Democrat attorneys general are now mobilizing to prevent Donald Trump from executing mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. This defensive posture marks a stark contrast to the party’s historical stance on immigration, highlighting a dramatic evolution in Democratic policy over the past few decades.
Blue-state prosecutors are strategizing to challenge Trump on multiple fronts, including potential misuse of military troops, commandeering of local law enforcement, and denial of constitutional rights. They’re preparing legal briefs and identifying courts for potential lawsuits, signaling a fierce battle ahead if Trump’s plans materialize.
The thing with this clip isn’t just that Democrats changed how they talk, it’s that the immigration policy issues changed.
When Obama took over, illegal immigration had peaked and the discussion was largely what to do with people who came from Mexico to work years earlier. The… https://t.co/gUWkKras7E
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) January 24, 2025
From Clinton to Obama: A History of Tough Talk
The irony of this situation becomes apparent when we look back at the Democratic party’s history on immigration. In 1995, President Bill Clinton addressed the nation with rhetoric that would sound familiar to Trump supporters today:
Clinton’s administration took concrete steps to enforce these views, including hiring more border guards and signing the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA) in 1996, which allowed for deportation even for misdemeanors.
Obama’s Deportation Legacy
Fast forward to the Obama era, and we see a continuation of tough immigration policies. Between 2009 and 2015, President Barack Obama’s administration deported over 2.5 million immigrants, focusing particularly on those with criminal records. Obama himself stated:
This tough stance on immigration wasn’t limited to presidents. As a senator, Hillary Clinton advocated for increased border security, tougher employer sanctions, and even physical barriers. During her presidential campaign, she proposed conditions for illegal immigrants to gain legal status, including paying back taxes and learning English.
The Sanctuary City Shift
The Democratic party’s evolution from advocating deportations to adopting a protective stance towards undocumented immigrants is a relatively recent phenomenon. This shift has culminated in the sanctuary city movement, where local jurisdictions limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Today’s Democrat attorneys general are preparing to fight Trump’s proposed deportation plans on multiple legal fronts. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a former federal prosecutor, stated:
“There are ways to [handle immigration] that are in line with American values and conform to American law. But they don’t seem to be interested in pursuing that,” New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a former federal prosecutor who has experience in immigration enforcement, said of Trump and his allies. “And that’s where someone like me has an important role to play.” – New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez
This dramatic shift in Democrat immigration policy underscores the complex and evolving nature of this issue in American politics. As the pendulum swings, it’s clear that the battle over immigration will continue to be a defining issue in our national discourse.