Index/Topics/Anti-Commandeering Doctrine

Anti-Commandeering Doctrine

This topic refers to the legal principle that prohibits the federal government from commandeering states or their residents into enforcing federal law.

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5 results
Jan 28, 2026
Most Viewed

Do cities have to enforce federal immigration law?

to enforce federal immigration law in the sense of being compelled to use local officers or resources to carry out federal removal or civil immigration investigations; the Constitution vests immigrati...

Jan 28, 2026
Most Viewed

What is the anti-commandeering doctrine and how has it been applied in immigration cases?

The is a constitutional principle that forbids the federal government from ordering state legislatures or officials to administer or enforce federal regulatory programs, grounded in the and a line of ...

Feb 2, 2026

What legal limits exist on deputizing private citizens for immigration enforcement in U.S. law?

Federal law bars the federal government from simply “commandeering” states or their residents into enforcing immigration law, but it does allow formal delegation of immigration functions to state and ...

Jan 15, 2026

What legal challenges have federal governments brought against sanctuary cities since 2020?

Since 2020 the federal government has reignited a multi-pronged legal campaign against so‑called sanctuary jurisdictions that includes civil lawsuits asking courts to invalidate local and state restri...

Jan 11, 2026

What are the constitutional challenges to local participation in federal immigration enforcement?

Local participation in federal immigration enforcement runs into a tangle of constitutional doctrines: anti‑commandeering limits on federal power, the Supremacy Clause and preemption concerns, Fourth ...