What Governors in Blue Trifecta States Can Do to Defend Our Communities from Trump’s Unconstitutional Mass Deportations
Take Action Now
If you live in a Democratic trifecta state, urge your governor to take decisive action against the Trump administration’s unconstitutional mass deportation efforts.
The Trump administration has been laying the groundwork for mass deportations, unlike anything we’ve seen before, not even under Trump 1.0. They’re targeting immigrant communities with sweeping raids, abductions, mass deportations, indefinite detention, and partnerships with foreign governments willing to help round up and deport people.
An egregious example has already played out: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, one of hundreds of migrants rounded up, was deported despite a court order explicitly prohibiting his removal. He was sent to El Salvador at U.S. request, immediately detained, and consigned to CECOT—a prison notorious for torture and abuse. He is just one of nearly 300 people known to have been disappeared through this process, most of which is happening in secrecy with zero transparency.
And the danger has only been escalating. In June, Trump ordered federal immigration officials to ramp up deportations in Democratic-led cities—just days after mass protests erupted in L.A. and across the country against his immigration policies. This is a blatant escalation of federal overreach and authoritarian violence. Democratic governors need to be pushing back and protecting their residents.
Why This is Dangerous
This has become a daily reality for families all over the country. Mass deportations are happening, and at such a fast rate that the admin has been making catastrophic mistakes.
Immigrants are being rounded up without charges or hearings.
People are being deported into the custody of governments known for torture and repression, with U.S. coordination.
Due process—the cornerstone of constitutional protections—is being shredded.
Even U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents have been wrongly detained and denied legal protections.
This kind of behavior has not been limited to non-citizens. Under Trump’s immigration agenda, even U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents have been wrongly detained, denied legal protections, and swept up by ICE and DHS.
We’re experiencing an administration that does not believe in the protection of citizenship, but frankly, citizenship status shouldn’t matter. Nobody, citizen or not, should ever face abduction, indefinite detention, torture, or forced disappearance.
This is about more than immigration. It’s about preserving our democracy and fighting for fundamental human rights – dignity, due process, and freedom from state violence. If Democratic governors don’t act now, we risk letting these abuses become the new normal, and no community will be safe from such unchecked government power.
What Can Governors In Democratic Trifecta States Do?
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu just gave us an example of what real leadership looks like in this moment.
In response to a letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi threatening to prosecute officials and withhold funds unless the city cooperated with carrying out mass deportations, she announced that Boston will not allow city resources to be used to aid or abet mass deportations.
By drawing a hard line, Mayor Wu set a model for how state and local leaders can take concrete action to shield communities from the administration's anti-immigration attacks. More mayors taking a stand is good – we need more governors, too.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also took a bold step when he announced that Illinois’ state pension funds would divest from El Salvador, citing its role in unlawful deportations at the Trump administration’s request. He also ordered a review of Illinois state contracts for any that send business to El Salvador-based companies. In Governor Pritzker’s words:
“The United States Constitution guarantees due process. We are witnessing Donald Trump erode our fundamental Constitutional rights in real-time, and we must fight to restore the balance of power.”
But neither of them should act alone. Democratic trifecta states have the most explicit mandate and power to act immediately.
And there’s already precedent for using these tools: states have taken bold action in moments of international crisis before, like when governors ordered the removal of Russian vodka from state-run liquor stores after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The reality is simple: economic choices are political choices. Cutting ties, divesting where it hurts financially and refusing to utilize state and city resources are one of the most powerful levers states have. States have done it before—and they can and must do it again now.
Although it may vary from state to state, here are some things governors can do immediately:
Refuse to Comply with Trump’s Deportation Machine
Follow Mayor Wu’s lead and ensure no state or local resources are diverted to Trump’s raids and detentions.
Direct state agencies and localities not to honor unconstitutional federal detainers.
Divest State Funds from Complicit Foreign Governments
Follow Illinois’ lead by reviewing and withdrawing investments from governments like El Salvador that participate in unlawful deportations at the Trump administration’s request.
Publicly announce divestment decisions to build pressure on other states to take similar action.
Cut State Procurement Ties
Use state purchasing power to end contracts or sales relationships with countries that collaborate in mass deportations. Example: In states with government-run liquor stores, governors could order the removal of Salvadoran liquor brands from shelves—just as states pulled Russian vodka after the Ukraine invasion. Notably, El Salvador’s most exported alcohol to the U.S. is rum and beer.
Beyond liquor, El Salvador’s significant exports include products like raw cane sugar and unroasted coffee. Governors could instruct state agencies to stop purchasing these and other Salvadoran goods or services wherever applicable, using state procurement policies as a tool to signal clear opposition to the country’s cooperation with unlawful deportation practices.
Strengthen and Expand Sanctuary Protections
Prohibit state and local law enforcement from collaborating with ICE or DHS without a judicial warrant.
Extend sanctuary policies to public hospitals, universities, courthouses, and transportation systems, blocking access points that federal agents often exploit.
Publicly Condemn Mass Deportations and the Foreign Governments Aiding Them
Issue statements denouncing Trump’s deportation agenda and the governments aiding it.
Use state diplomatic and economic leverage to oppose mass deportations.
What You Can Do: Mobilize Your Governor
If you're in a Democratic trifecta state, you have a unique opportunity to influence your governor to take decisive action against the Trump administration's unconstitutional mass deportation efforts. Following the example of officials like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker or Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu, you can urge your governor to implement similar measures. Here’s how you can help push them to take real action against Trump's mass deportation machine:
Send an email demanding action
Share this toolkit with your networks in Democratic-led states
Tag your governor publicly on social media and make it clear that silence is complicity
Even if you think your governor is "generally good," they still need to hear from you because, unfortunately, in most cases, political courage is never automatic. Democrats can't wait for a bigger crisis; the crisis is already here. And if they are taking action, your call or email can encourage them to keep going. Remember to say thank you!