DOJ attorney calls requested relief by state 'staggering'
An attorney representing the federal government called the state's request to end Operation Metro Surge "staggering."
"The effect of their requested relief would be essentially removing the officers whom the president has concluded should be there to enforce federal immigration law," Brantley Mayers said during a hearing on Monday on the state's request to end the operation. "It's pretty staggering."
Mayers argued that the requested relief should be subject to "a heightened standard" and said that if U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez issues an order to end Operation Metro Surge, it "would be very difficult to implement."
"If it's difficult to implement, does that mean I can do nothing?" Judge Menendez asked.
Mayers responded by saying such an order would create a "very difficult separation of powers problem."
-ABC News' Laura Romero







