Across the country, state legislatures are demonstrating that real, credible immigration enforcement is not only possible but also popular, lawful, and urgently needed. While Washington often dominates the national conversation, it is the states that are emerging as key players in restoring the rule of law and protecting American communities from the consequences of mass migration.

Over this summer, a growing number of states have passed and enacted serious immigration enforcement measures. These efforts aren’t symbolic; they are substantive, enforceable, and designed to address the complex public safety, fiscal, and social challenges created by mass migration. Below are three state-level case studies showing how bold leadership, supported by grassroots activism, is delivering results.

Louisiana Gets Serious about Immigration Enforcement 

Louisiana made a powerful statement this summer by enacting a slate of serious immigration enforcement laws. With Governor Jeff Landry’s signature on H.B. 307, S.B. 15, S.B. 100, H.B. 554, and H.B. 436, the Pelican State has positioned itself as another national leader in the fight for credible immigration enforcement. These laws were enacted in response to growing public concern over the safety, financial, and social implications of mass migration. Together, they demonstrate Louisiana’s commitment to defending the rule of law, safeguarding its citizens, and rejecting policies that incentivize lawbreaking.

H.B. 307 ends access to public benefits for those in the country illegally. S.B. 15 creates criminal penalties for individuals who obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts, including those who shield or harbor illegal aliens. S.B. 100 requires state agencies to track and report taxpayer spending on services provided to illegal aliens, bringing much-needed transparency to the financial impact of illegal immigration. H.B. 554 prohibits issuing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, helping to preserve the integrity of state-issued identification. And H.B. 436 bars illegal aliens from receiving certain benefits reserved for citizens in personal injury lawsuits, ensuring that the legal system does not reward unlawful presence.

With this bold collection of new laws, Louisiana joins the ranks of firewall states like Florida and Texas, states that are stepping up to work alongside the federal government to address the consequences of mass migration. This is what it looks like when states take public safety seriously and act as force multipliers in support of national immigration enforcement efforts. Louisiana’s leadership sets a powerful example of how cooperation between state and federal governments can deliver real results.

Rhode Island Quietly Defeats Sanctuary Policy

Rhode Island didn’t pass five major pro-enforcement bills like Louisiana did, but sometimes, stopping a bad bill is just as important as passing a good one. Thanks to the persistence of our dedicated activists in the Ocean State, S. 0537 was quietly held in committee, effectively ending its chances this session. This state victory is a testament to the power of citizen engagement and the importance of remaining vigilant, even in states where legislative momentum may lean in the other direction. It also highlights how harmful legislation often advances quietly, unless citizens speak up and demand accountability.

S. 0537 would have prohibited federal immigration authorities from investigating, detaining, apprehending, or arresting individuals for violations of federal immigration law in or near certain locations. This would have severely restricted the ability of ICE and other federal agents to do their jobs and would have created de facto “mini-sanctuaries” in everyday public spaces. Such a policy sends the wrong message, undermines the rule of law, and puts both citizens and legal immigrants at a disadvantage. Victories like this may not grab national headlines, but they are critical in the broader fight for credible immigration enforcement. They remind us that vigilance matters at every level of government, and that when informed citizens engage, bad policy can be stopped in its tracks.

Tennessee Fights Back Against Smuggling 

Tennessee also took a major step forward this summer with this session’s S.B. 392 taking effect, a tough new anti-smuggling law designed to stop the transport of illegal aliens into and through the state. This law is not only necessary and overdue, it’s a constitutional and commonsense response to a growing public safety crisis. S.B. 392 closely mirrors federal provisions in 8 U.S.C. § 1324. It’s a clear example of how states can support and complement federal immigration enforcement, not conflict with it. The law reflects the will of Tennessee voters who followed this bill through the legislative process, demanding meaningful action to address the consequences of mass migration.

Yet despite its steady legal footing, S.B. 392 is already under attack from groups seeking to derail immigration enforcement through the courts. These lawsuits are not only misguided—they are also dangerous. States are not preempted from cooperating with or supporting federal law. On the contrary, they are well within their rights to act, and many would argue their obligations. S.B. 392 is exactly the kind of state-level leadership needed in the face of our nation’s mass migration crisis. Its passage reflects the will of Volunteer State voters who demand real, credible immigration enforcement, not excuses. This is another major win for public safety and a reminder that states are not powerless in the fight to protect their communities from the consequences of mass migration.