Sanctuary or sovereignty: Where does your AG stand?

By Michelle Malkin  •  August 26, 2007 11:27 AM

Earlier this week, in the wake of NJ attorney general Anne Milgram’s decision to order law enforcement to notify the feds of illegal alien criminal suspects, I posted the contact information for the nation’s state attorney generals. Where does your stand?

A number of readers are starting to report back on their contacts with their AG offices.

Angela R. in Virginia received this response:

Angela- Thanks for writing us. The Attorney General continues to request that the Governor enter into an agreement with federal authorities to allow the Department of State Police to enforce federal immigration laws during the course of their normal duties in investigating state criminal conduct. He is making a similar request regarding the Virginia Department of Corrections and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Although the Governor has not signed the agreements regarding state law enforcement, this Office continues to work toward that end.

Additionally, the Attorney General proposed legislation this past session of the General Assembly to clarify that local law enforcement has the authority to enforce immigration laws upon entering into an agreement with ICE. While that legislation cleared the House of Delegates, it did not pass the Senate. However, the Attorney General continued to research this issue and in May he issued a formal opinion stating that localities do have this authority, absent legislative approval. Since the release of the opinion a number of Virginia localities have either moved forward with entering into these agreements, or expressed interest in doing so at a future date. You can find this opinion here:

http://www.vaag.com/OPINIONS/2007opns/07-016-Rust.pdf

In conclusion, the Attorney General absolutely recognizes that more must be done at all levels of government to ensure that the issues associated with illegal immigration are fully addressed. Allowing localities to enter into immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government is one step. The next step must be to provide that same authority to state agencies. In the end, it will require greater coordination among federal, state and local officials to make a difference on this critical public safety issue. Attorney General McDonnell is committed to making sure this coordination occurs, and that the laws of Virginia are followed.

J. Tucker Martin
Director of Communications
Office of Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell

Reader Andrew in North Carolina reports:

Hi Michelle,

I called Roy Cooper’s office in North Carolina, expressing my frustrations with the whole do-nothing attitude we’re seeing towards illegal immigration. I spoke clearly and simply asked his spokesperson that Mr. Cooper follow New Jersey’s lead, and order all NC law enforcement officers to report all illegals arrested to the feds. The response I received… it’s a Federal issue, would you like the number for the Federal Attorney General?

It’s astonishing that such anemic leadership continues after the horrific massacre in Newark and the overwhelming uprising against guestworker/amnesty. The state attorneygeneral has every right to order such a thing and Mr. Cooper’s office knows that!

Reader Keith in NY is waiting for a response to his letter to AG Andrew Cuomo:

Dear AG Cuomo:

As a person of Italo-immigrant decent I don’t make this plea lightly. The recent events in Newark have convinced me that we need immediate action on the criminal illegal alien issue.

Whatever your position on the undocumented workers or illegal immigrants is, surely when you consider the individual victims and not the larger regional, societal issues, you must agree to place the priority on protecting individual rights of individual New York victims and future victims. Is one life saved worth the heat? I think it is. I think you know that too.

You were ‘hired’ to protect us, each one. The AG function, while political in one sense, is most importantly law enforcement. Perhaps in a future job you will have the opportunity to solve the larger questions. Don’t worry about current and future criticism.

Many of these criminals commit indefensible crimes. If you are concerned about being branded as unsympathetic, point to the facts in an individual case and ask those that may attack you to defend the crime. They won’t be able to and smart voters
of any party will be able to cut the demagoguery.

Few will fault you later for showing courage now, especially if it is done with the skill and care that you have recently shown in the administration of your duties.

Surely at this place and in this time you ought to weigh the harm to individual New Yorkers when determining your future policy on the growing criminal illegal challenge.

***

Here again is the contact info for the AGs. Sanctuary or sovereignty: Where does your AG stand? Get ‘em on record:

Alabama: Troy King (R) (334) 242-7300
State House, 11 S. Union St. Montgomery, AL 36130
http://www.ago.state.al.us

Alaska: Talis J. Colberg (R) (907) 465-3600
P.O. Box 110300, Diamond Courthouse, Juneau, AK 99811-0300
http://www.law.state.ak.us/

Arizona: Terry Goddard (D) (602) 542-4266
1275 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007
http://www.azag.gov/

Arkansas: Dustin McDaniel (D) (800) 482-8982
200 Tower Bldg., 323 Center St., Little Rock, AR 72201-2610
http://www.ag.arkansas.gov/

California: Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr. (D) (916) 445-9555
1300 I St., Ste. 1740, Sacramento, CA 95814
http://ag.ca.gov

Colorado: John Suthers (R) (303) 866-4500
1525 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203
http://www.ago.state.co.us/index.cfm

Connecticut: Richard Blumenthal (D) (860) 808-5318
55 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06141-0120
http://www.ct.gov/ag/

Delaware: Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III (D) (302) 577-8338
Carvel State Office Bldg., 820 N. French St., Wilmington, DE 19801
http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/

District of Columbia: Linda Singer (D) (202) 724-1305
John A. Wilson Building, 1350 PA Ave, NW Suite 409, Washington, DC 20009
http://occ.dc.gov

Florida: Bill McCollum (R) (850) 414-3300
The Capitol, PL 01, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
http://myfloridalegal.com/

Georgia: Thurbert E. Baker (D) (404) 656-3300
40 Capitol Square, SW, Atlanta, GA 30334-1300
http://ganet.org/ago/

Hawaii: Mark J. Bennett (R) (808) 586-1500
425 Queen St., Honolulu, HI 96813
http://www.state.hi.us/ag/index.html

Idaho: Lawrence Wasden (R) (208) 334-2400
Statehouse, Boise, ID 83720-1000
http://www2.state.id.us/ag/

Illinois: Lisa Madigan (D) (312) 814-3000
James R. Thompson Ctr., 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601
http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/

Indiana: Steve Carter (R) (317) 232-6201
Indiana Government Center South – 5th Floor, 402 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/

Iowa: Tom Miller (D) (515) 281-5164
Hoover State Office Bldg., 1305 E. Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50319
http://www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.org

Kansas: Paul Morrison (D) (785) 296-2215
120 S.W. 10th Ave., 2nd Fl., Topeka, KS 66612-1597
http://www.ksag.org/home/

Kentucky: Greg Stumbo (D) (502) 696-5300
State Capitol, Rm. 116, Frankfort, KY 40601
http://ag.ky.gov

Louisiana: Charles Foti (D) 225-326-6000
P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4095
http://www.ag.state.la.us/

Maine: G. Steven Rowe (D) (207) 626-8800
State House Station 6, Augusta, ME 04333
http://www.state.me.us/ag

Maryland: Douglas F. Gansler (D) (410) 576-6300
200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202-2202
http://www.oag.state.md.us

Massachusetts: Martha Coakley (D) (617) 727-2200
1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108-1698
http://www.ago.state.ma.us

Michigan: Mike Cox (R) (517) 373-1110
P.O.Box 30212, 525 W. Ottawa St., Lansing, MI 48909-0212
http://www.michigan.gov/ag

Minnesota: Lori Swanson (D) (651) 296-3353
State Capitol, Ste. 102, St. Paul, MN 55155
http://www.ag.state.mn.us

Mississippi: Jim Hood (D) (601) 359-3680
Department of Justice, P.O. Box 220, Jackson, MS 37205-0220
http://www.ago.state.ms.us/

Missouri: Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon (D) (573) 751-3321
Supreme Ct. Bldg., 207 W. High St., Jefferson City, MO 65101
http://www.ago.mo.gov/

Montana: Mike McGrath (D) (406) 444-2026
Justice Bldg., 215 N. Sanders, Helena, MT 59620-1401
http://www.doj.mt.gov

Nebraska: Jon Bruning (R) (402) 471-2682
State Capitol, P.O.Box 98920, Lincoln, NE 68509-8920
http://www.ago.state.ne.us/

Nevada: Catherine Cortez Masto (D) (775) 684-1100
Old Supreme Ct. Bldg., 100 N. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701
http://ag.state.nv.us/

New Hampshire: Kelly Ayotte (R) (603) 271-3658
State House Annex, 33 Capitol St., Concord, NH 03301-6397
http://www.state.nh.us/nhdoj/

New Mexico: Gary King (D) (505) 827-6000
P.O. Drawer 1508, Sante Fe, NM 87504-1508
http://www.ago.state.nm.us

New York: Andrew Cuomo (D) (518) 474-7330
Dept. of Law – The Capitol, 2nd fl., Albany, NY 12224
http://www.oag.state.ny.us

North Carolina: Roy Cooper (D) (919) 716-6400
Dept. of Justice, P.O.Box 629, Raleigh, NC 27602-0629
http://www.ncdoj.com/default.jsp

North Dakota: Wayne Stenehjem (R) (701) 328-2210
State Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505-0040
http://www.ag.state.nd.us

Ohio: Marc Dann (D) (614) 466-4320
State Office Tower, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43266-0410
http://www.ag.state.oh.us

Oklahoma: W. A. Drew Edmondson (D) (405) 521-3921
State Capitol, Rm. 112, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105
http://www.oag.state.ok.us

Oregon: Hardy Myers (D) (503) 378-4732
Justice Bldg., 1162 Court St., NE, Salem, OR 97301
http://www.doj.state.or.us

Pennsylvania: Tom Corbett (R) (717) 787-3391
1600 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov

Rhode Island: Patrick Lynch (D) (401) 274-4400
150 S. Main St., Providence, RI 02903
http://www.riag.state.ri.us

South Carolina: Henry McMaster (R) (803) 734-3970
Rembert C. Dennis Office Bldg., P.O.Box 11549, Columbia, SC 29211-1549
http://www.scattorneygeneral.org

South Dakota: Larry Long (R) (605) 773-3215
1302 East Highway 14, Suite 1, Pierre, SD 57501-8501
http://www.state.sd.us/attorney/

Tennessee: Robert E. Cooper, Jr. (D) (615) 741-5860
500 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37243
http://www.attorneygeneral.state.tn.us

Texas: Greg Abbott (R) (512) 463-2100
Capitol Station, P.O.Box 12548, Austin, TX 78711-2548
http://www.oag.state.tx.us

Utah: Mark Shurtleff (R) (801) 538-9600
State Capitol, Rm. 236, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-0810
http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/

Vermont: William H. Sorrell (D) (802) 828-3173
109 State St., Montpelier, VT 05609-1001
http://www.state.vt.us/atg

Virginia: Bob McDonnell (R) (804) 786-2071
900 E. Main St., Richmond, VA 23219
http://www.oag.state.va.us

Washington: Rob McKenna (R) (360) 753-6200
1125 Washington St. SE, PO Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504-0100
http://www.atg.wa.gov/

West Virginia: Darrell V. McGraw Jr. (D) (304) 558-2021
State Capitol, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. , E., Charleston, WV 25305
http://www.wvago.us/

Wisconsin: J.B. Van Hollen (R) (608) 266-1221
State Capitol, Ste. 114 E., P.O.Box 7857, Madison, WI 53707-7857
http://www.doj.state.wi.us

Wyoming: Pat Crank (D) (307) 777-7841
State Capitol Bldg., Cheyenne, WY 82002
http://attorneygeneral.state.wy.us

See what others have said

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Comments


  1. #120397
    On August 26th, 2007 at 11:51 am, Rick Moran said:

    After reading the response from that Carolina AG, I have to hearken back maybe no more than 50 years when states were extremely jealous of their perogatives and the idea of “letting the Feds do it” was almost unthinkable. The law was the law and was enforced when police were confronted with a violation.

    Don’t quote me but I think even the migrant workers picking produce who were here illegally were sent home back then if they were arrested for some other crime. I seem to recall cases like that but have no specific memory so I may be wrong.

    As long as states want to pass the buck to the Feds on this issue, maybe its time that we hit them in the pocketbook by withholding federal highway or education funds until they start to enfoce the law.

    I think cooperation might be forthcoming rather quickly if we were to initiate that kind of program.

  2. #120402
    On August 26th, 2007 at 12:17 pm, xplodeit said:

    Enforce the law or no federal funds. Its a national (local, state, federal) problem not only a federal problem!

  3. #120409
    On August 26th, 2007 at 12:46 pm, pressto said:

    Here in CA our AG is in the fight to get law breakers. Know how? By spending most of his time filing Global Warming lawsuits against the Counties and Cities in the state. Go Jerry Brown Go.

  4. #120412
    On August 26th, 2007 at 1:03 pm, SirKnob said:

    Here in Prince William County VA, the county took it upon themselves to pass strict anti-sanctuary laws. Of course, the ink was barely dry on the legislation when the ‘usual suspects’ filed a lawsuit preventing the measures from going into effect.

    Surprising that our own county sheriff spoke out against the new laws, citing the same set of silly excuses you hear from NYC and Newark.

    Less surprising, one of the Newark murder suspects is arrested hiding here in Woodbridge. So far, no word from the Sheriff on how it is helpful to law enforcement that an MS13 gang member, wanted for murder, chose his county as the ideal place to hide.

    Even less surprising, no media correlation of this event and the legal resistance to the new PWC anti-sanctuary laws.

    I wonder, how much longer can the media and the ACLU deny the will of the people?

    Hope everyone has a great day :-)

  5. #120413
    On August 26th, 2007 at 1:11 pm, corona said:

    Am I really supposed to ask Attorney General Moonbeam what he thinks?

  6. #120416
    On August 26th, 2007 at 1:17 pm, Mach1Duck said:

    I e-mailed the Arizona Attorney Generals office when I read the original post, 23 August, have not got a response.

  7. #120419
    On August 26th, 2007 at 1:29 pm, reine.de.tout said:

    Just sent a communication to La. AG’s office. Their website has nothing on illegals in Louisiana, but I have observed more and more people here and I know at least some of them must be here illegally. Will keep you posted if I hear anything from their office.

  8. #120423
    On August 26th, 2007 at 1:47 pm, gayle said:

    Not the least bit surprised by Roy Cooper’s blame game.

    This is exactly why I – as well as many others in my community are extremely frustrated.

    I stated it before; They turn a blind eye even though this state is one of the worst in the illegal poplulation ….it IS a sanctuary state..even if it’s not on the books as such.

    Please tell me what I can do. I have signed up to help write letters, make calls, and haven’t received any response from the site that Michelle posted.

    Yes, let the FEDS keep their money away from NC. Serves us correctly to be punished. Then the taxpayers can rebel.

    Anger is NOT the word to express my feelings at this moment.

  9. #120424
    On August 26th, 2007 at 1:48 pm, gayle said:

    “population”….so mad I cannot type.

  10. #120426
    On August 26th, 2007 at 2:16 pm, txvet2 said:

    Unfortunately, we’re going the wrong way on this. The state just announced a new policy under which DPS trooopers will no longer be allowed to ask about immigration status on traffic stops. Claims it’s “racial profiling”. I suppose it is, after all a car full of Hispanics who can’t speak English and lack driver’s licenses or other valid ID would definitely fit a profile.

  11. #120428
    On August 26th, 2007 at 2:17 pm, swj719AWG said:

    I’m still waiting on my AG to reply to my e-mail…

    I might have to make a call on monday or Wed…

  12. #120432
    On August 26th, 2007 at 2:37 pm, nbarry said:

    One other consideration is that while state AGs are charged with setting statewide legal policies (and should therefore by all means be contacted), the nuts and bolts of prosecution are generally left to county District Attorneys. Accordingly, they may need a little pressure applied, especially when local political hearts bleed for the illegals.

  13. #120433
    On August 26th, 2007 at 2:38 pm, leepro said:

    attorneyS general, not attorney generals.

    /nitpicker

  14. #120442
    On August 26th, 2007 at 4:03 pm, derel3433 said:

    i don’t care if this costs our party the latino vote forever, what’s right is right. what part of illegal don’t they understand?

  15. #120450
    On August 26th, 2007 at 4:37 pm, Just Plain Bill said:

    Just e-mailed AG Brown, aka “Moonbeam”.

    Very hard to find a place on the AG website to e-mail him. Lots of places for various consumer complaints and even one for Immigration Consultants, but 3 or 4 pages deeper, you can find a public inquiry, general section and that will get you to the right place. Now we wait and see if I get an answer. Not holding breath.

    JP

  16. #120462
    On August 26th, 2007 at 6:00 pm, Speakup said:

    Now that Collyfornya has Brown rot back in office the likelihood of anything besides welcoming alien criminals won’t happen.

    Jerry is an extreme liberal who does not care about law enforcement except as it benefits liberalism.

    That kinda plays back to the US AG he could pressure the state AGs, oh well I guess Gonzales has his priorities too.

    How many illegal alien slider AGs does it take to sorta kinda raise suspicions?

  17. #120470
    On August 26th, 2007 at 7:03 pm, chsw said:

    What a load of gobbledygook spouted by Virginia’s AG. No “agreement” is necessary for the VA State Police or any other peace officers in the state to arrest breakers of Federal law.

    chsw

  18. #120472
    On August 26th, 2007 at 7:17 pm, petergwynne75 said:

    Not only is Post #1 right on, but we need to BRING BACK QUOTAS that limit the number of people allowed to become US citizens-per-year from each foreign country!!

  19. #120483
    On August 26th, 2007 at 8:42 pm, mikeg said:

    Sent a letter to the Attorney General of Connecticut. Will keep you posted on any response. Not very hopeful, look what is going on in New Haven.

  20. #120489
    On August 26th, 2007 at 9:01 pm, ajmontana said:

    ditto to just plain bill, sent after original post….not holding breath.

  21. #120505
    On August 26th, 2007 at 10:14 pm, crashemt said:

    I just forwarded the message Angela received to Governor Kaine’s office. I’ll also send to my VA state representative and senator.

    What is it going to take to get laws enforced in this country? Are we all really wanting America to collapse under the weight of our our corruption, like Rome did? Do we really need slaves that badly?

  22. #120647
    On August 27th, 2007 at 11:26 am, Laree said:

    Hey,

    Mine is suing an Indian Tribe, SMILE AG Greg Abbott. This is Texas, we are 1 for illegal aliens in the country followed second by California.

    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/immigration/5073937.html

  23. #121863
    On August 30th, 2007 at 10:55 am, crashemt said:

    From Gov. Tim Kaine, VA

    Thank you for your letter concerning an issue of great importance to the Commonwealth. I have long opposed illegal immigration, and I believe that we must protect Virginians and taxpayer dollars from financial and public safety threats presented by illegal immigration. I believe that Virginia has taken appropriate steps to limit government services available to those in the country illegally and that we have an effective working relationship with the federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    The Commonwealth works closely with ICE on a range of matters and will continue to pursue future opportunities with ICE. While we have meaningful laws in place and a strong partnership with ICE, I do not believe it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to take on unfunded federal responsibilities. ICE is concentrating its resources in Virginia on serious crimes committed by those illegally in the country. The Commonwealth will continue to support those efforts. As ICE expands its role and resources in Virginia , we will look to expand our existing level of cooperation to support that commitment.

    As indicated, I am pleased that state agencies already work closely with ICE. I strongly encourage ICE to devote the resources necessary to maximize the value of that cooperation. I have already encouraged our agencies to continue to explore ways to expand the relationship with ICE at the operational level, with the goal of advancing state law enforcement goals and preventing serious crimes from being committed by those in the country illegally.

    Among the agencies already working with ICE on matters of common concern are the Virginia State Police, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Motor Vehicles. These areas of cooperation represent a serious commitment on the part of the Commonwealth to address criminal activity by those who have entered the country illegally.

    Again, I thank you for your input regarding this issue. I look forward to exploring more ways by which the Commonwealth can build on these successes.

    Sincerely,

    Timothy M. Kaine

    Governor of Virginia

    Just as a reminder, this is the same state where 2 girls were killed by an illegal immigrant repeat offender. The same state where MS13 terrorized areas around Fort Belvior with machete attacks. The same state where the 9-11 terrorists got their driver’s licenses.

    I guess 1 fix out of 3 isn’t bad, insofar as Serious Crimes go.

  24. #138252
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 6:05 pm, Azygos said:

    Sorry to be somewhat OT.
    Gayle,
    The best firearm/weapon for you is the one you can fire most proficiently and accurately. A .22 to the face is more efficient than 7 .45 rounds into the hallway wall. Go to a range and rent/fire a variety of weapons until you find the one that feels just right. Caliber is not as important as accuracy. I prefer an old Colt Detective Special .38 (spl) followed by my Springfield Armory Ultra Compact .45. My wife prefers her Colt Stainless .45.

    However I believe the best home defense weapon is a shotgun whether 20 ga, 16 ga, or 12 ga. Whatever you are most proficient in firing.

    As for illegal aliens we are drowning here in Arizona. Most of the police departments won’t contact ICE when they come across illegals (Maricopa County Sheriffs being the exception). Terry Goddard is a liberal hack who while talking tough fights with the Maricopa County Attorney General over the prosecution of illegal aliens. Terry has never met an illegal alien he would not kiss on the B***

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