Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, along with Kansas Attorney General, has taken a significant step by co-leading motions to intervene in two lawsuits involving the Biden administration and immigrants’ rights groups, including the ACLU. These legal actions refer to the cases of East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Biden and M.A. v. Mayorkas. Attorney General Marshall has garnered support from attorneys general in Georgia, Louisiana, and West Virginia.
The coalition of attorneys general decided to step in when the Biden administration chose to negotiate a settlement instead of defending a rule that imposes certain restrictions on illegal immigration. Attorney General Marshall firmly believed that the Biden administration might not effectively advocate for the States’ interests regarding illegal immigration.
Attorney General Marshall expressed his concern about the challenges faced in addressing the ongoing influx of illegal immigrants. He emphasized the impact this situation has on people across states and emphasized the need for the administration to prioritize protecting the interests of all Americans. The decision to engage in settlement talks with advocacy groups has raised questions about the potential implications for border security in the future. With this in mind, the intervention aims to address these concerns and ensure a comprehensive approach to the issue.
Two lawsuits are currently underway, with immigrants’ rights groups at the forefront, challenging a rule implemented by the Biden administration. The rule grants the U.S. Department of Homeland Security the authority to reject specific asylum seekers. Initially, the administration claimed that the rule was within the bounds of the law and that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge it. However, in a surprising turn of events, the administration has now entered into settlement negotiations with the plaintiffs in both cases.
The coalition of attorneys general is in agreement with Judge VanDyke, a 9th Circuit judge on East Bay Covenant, who expressed concerns about the administration’s actions. Judge VanDyke warned that it seems like the administration is intentionally avoiding a victory that would have been achieved later this year.
The motion to intervene raised concerns about how the Biden administration’s actions towards the intervenor states’ immigration interests were seen as hostile. It argued that the ongoing issue of illegal immigration is posing significant challenges for the United States, and both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have faced criticism for what some consider an insufficient response.