Criminal Prosecutions and Weaponization of the Legal System

Federal Policy Change/Executive Orders (EO): January 20, 2025, to present

  • The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced prosecutions for status-based federal misdemeanors, including: not carrying immigration documents; not registering with Department of Homeland Security (DHS); not updating home address with DHS.
  • Prosecutions and detention of activists/organizations commenced.
  • EOs targeting law firms engaged in activities to defend democracy or any activities that are contrary to the Trump Administration’s agenda.
  • EO excluding workers at nonprofit organizations that engage in immigration, reproductive health, LGBTQIA+, racial justice, houselessness issues from benefiting from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  • FEMA initiated investigations into migrant shelters over allegations of violations of smuggling laws.
  • EO prosecuting election crimes as a result of the spread of misinformation that undocumented people vote in elections.