State Futures Convenes State Lawmakers for Joint Briefing on Rule-of-Law and Immigration Legislation and Coordinated Cross-State Federal Response
Lawmakers from Nine States Outline Newly Enacted and Pending Legislation to Protect Civil Rights, Counter Federal Overreach, and Uphold the Rule of Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 2, 2026 – State Futures today convened lawmakers from nine states for a joint virtual press briefing to highlight state efforts to respond to escalating federal actions that undermine constitutional protections, target immigrant communities, and disregard court orders.
Lawmakers shared updates on bills already enacted and currently moving in their legislatures, as well as discussed the newly launched Federal Response Coalition. The Coalition includes over 100 members from 35 states, which together are home to 276 million people — about 80% of the U.S. population. It is a broad and powerful coalition of state leaders working together across state lines.
Members speaking on the call are also champions of election security. In light of President Trump's recent executive order attempting to impose federal control over mail-in voting, legislators spoke to the action they are taking to ensure states maintain authority over elections.
“State lawmakers are meeting the challenges of this moment head on,” said President Gaby Goldstein of State Futures. “States have tremendous power individually and collectively, and lawmakers are working together across states to protect communities, assert state authority, and uphold the rule of law. In a moment when federal actions are testing institutional boundaries, the states are increasingly where governance and accountability are happening.”
Those speaking at the event made the following statements:
Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair Sen. Cora Neumann (MT): “Our goal is to create a constitutional firewall. When states act alone, the Federal government can pick us off one by one. They can cut funding, apply pressure, try to make examples out of each of us. But when 35 states move together with a shared strategy, the calculus changes entirely.”
Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair Sen. Graciela Guzmán (IL): “Mass immigration raids, pressure on state and local governments to fall in line, and open disregard for legal rulings that are meant to protect people's rights – that is not law and order, that is lawlessness. In moments like this, states have a responsibility to step up. Not just rhetorically, but with action.”
Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair House Majority Leader David Moon (MD): “In Western Maryland, we have one of the first-in-the-nation private detention camps that ICE is trying to prop up through a purchase of a private warehouse. We're in litigation to stop it. We're winning at the lower court levels. We're trying to chase down the money we're owed. We're trying to bring accountability for immigration.”
Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair Rep. Eleanor Chávez (NM): “New Mexico is not going to participate in the business of human misery. We believe that joining 8 other states in passing [a 287g agreement ban] is very important for our immigrant community. It sends them a message that we are here to protect them.”
Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair Sen. Pat Fahy (NY): “I firmly believe we are at a decisive moment in our nation's history. This is the country’s 250-year anniversary, and we cannot dismiss the fundamental freedoms that we were founded on now. We've got to stand with our immigrant community. That's how our nation was founded, and it's one of the strengths of our nation.”
Rep. Willy Chotzen (OR): “We in Oregon recognize the unprecedented moment that we are in, and we chose to fight back with everything that we have. We brought forward a package of bills to make our community safer and to strengthen immigrants' access to justice. These bills were the result of months of collaboration across states with you all and also between lawmakers and community advocates and legal experts around the country.”
Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair Sen. Tiara Mack (RI): “Everyone who lives in Rhode Island deserves to feel safe. We cannot afford to have our local infrastructure infiltrated for political and violent means, and I am proud that we are protecting our most vulnerable communities by championing this legislation and working with a network of legislators across the country who are prioritizing this.”
Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair Del. Michelle Lopes Maldonado (VA): “Coretta Scott King was famous for saying, ‘Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.’ This moment is one in which we have to rise and begin to reclaim and to continue and create the legacy of freedom. Our states are the first line of protection and the last line of defense.”
Sen. Melissa Ratcliff (WI): “I will not stop continuing to raise awareness and do what we can during this off-session time to work with our partners to protect Wisconsinites. I appreciate all my colleagues who are here today and from across other states who are doing all that we can during this unprecedented time. By working together, we can make sure to protect our citizens and people in our country.”
About Detention Centers Issue Brief
State Futures has also just released a new Issue Brief highlighting the surge of state-level action addressing detention centers. This comprehensive new issue brief details the many state-led actions designed to limit federal cooperation, enforce rigorous safety standards, and hold detention centers accountable.
Read the full issue brief: State Legislators Address Immigration Detention Facilities
About the Federal Response Bill Tracker
State Futures maintains the Federal Response Bill Tracker, which includes 200+ pieces of state-level legislation from 31 states related to rule of law and immigration policy. This resource allows lawmakers, advocates, and members of the public to follow developments in state law, and supports the growing demand for cross-state collaboration.
About State Futures
State Futures is a national nonprofit that supports a network of 750+ values-aligned state policymakers, including legislators and State Financial Officers. We support bold, values-aligned state leaders by convening them, equipping them with tools and resources, and empowering collective action to achieve impact beyond any single state.
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