Press Release - Issue Brief: Immigration + Rule of Law
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gaby Goldstein, President
Website: www.statefutures.org
Date: September 17, 2025
State Futures Releases Issue Brief: State Legislators Respond to Federal Immigration Policy
New Issue Brief tracks dozens of examples of state-level responses to federal overreach.
Washington, DC — State Futures today released a new Issue Brief spotlighting the surge of state-level action on immigration. The memo is packed with examples of bills, hearings, lawsuits, and communications from across the country. It’s a compendium for lawmakers, activists and journalists looking for ideas and examples of how states can assert authority in response to an emboldened federal immigration agenda.
“Last week, the Supreme Court greenlit racial profiling in immigration enforcement,” said Gaby Goldstein, Founder and President of State Futures. “If Washington cannot - or will not - protect communities and the rule of law, states must. Not timidly or in isolation, but creatively, aggressively, and collaboratively. The good news is, they already are - if you know where to look. There is a massive swell of state activity - but until now, concrete examples have been scattered and siloed. This Issue Brief pulls them together in one place: a clear framework, dozens of case studies, and a roadmap for how states can act.”
Highlights from the Issue Brief include:
Legislation: From New York’s “Avelo Airlines bill,” to bills in 3 states to withhold federal taxes if DC owes the state funds, to 7 states banning local ICE partnerships.
Oversight & Investigations: State lawmakers in Florida and New York forcing access to detention facilities, holding “people’s hearings,” and creating task forces.
Litigation: Legislators are serving as plaintiffs and witnesses in lawsuits against federal detention practices and facilities.
Strategic Communications: Cross-state press conferences, floor speeches, and social campaigns making the fight visible.
The Issue Brief comes on the heels of a cross-state policy convening hosted by State Futures, where legislators shared ideas and learnings, as well as a recent national mobilization call - co-hosted by State Futures with Public Citizen, Indivisible, MoveOn, and Stand Up America - that drew thousands of participants into a conversation about the crucial role of state electeds in protecting the rule of law.
About State Futures
State Futures is a national nonprofit that supports a network of 550+ values-aligned state policymakers, including legislators and State Financial Officers. Our network helps state leaders learn from each other, innovate together, and take coordinated action across states.
Media Contact:
Gaby Goldstein, President
www.statefutures.org
