As President Donald Trump tightens the nation’s immigration policies, lawmakers in Democratic-led states are proposing new measures that could erect legal obstacles for federal immigration officials and help immigrants lacking legal status avoid deportation.

The resistance efforts in California, New York and other states are a counterpoint to the many Republican-led states advancing measures to aid Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, highlighting a national divide.

In just his first week in office, Trump’s administration has halted refugee arrivals; fast-tracked deportations; sent military troops to the southern border; lifted longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement near schools, churches and hospitals; attempted to end birthright citizenship; and ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who they believe are interfering with his crackdown on illegal immigration.

Hundreds of bills on immigration already have been introduced in states and more action is expected next week. Republican Govs. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Bill Lee of Tennessee have called special legislative sessions to begin Monday to support Trump’s immigration agenda.

Meanwhile, Democrats in states such as Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington are backing measures to expand health care and higher education for immigrants, restrict landlords from inquiring about immigration status or block government agreements to open new immigrant detention centers.

Many U.S. adults support stronger security at the southern border and deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally who have been convicted of violent crimes, according to a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. But some actions have less consensus. About 4 in 10 American adults support deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally while a similar share are opposed.

Legal aid to fight deportation

Unlike in criminal courts, there is no constitutional right to a government-funded attorney in immigration courts. As Trump ramps up deportation efforts, some state measures would help pay for attorneys to defend people facing immigration proceedings.

One leader of such efforts is New York Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, who came to the U.S. at age 9 from Colombia and remained without legal status for over a decade before gaining permanent residency and becoming a U.S. citizen and a lawyer.

Cruz has filed more than a half-dozen bills to aid immigrants. One would assert a right under state law to legal counsel in immigration proceedings in New York, or elsewhere if the immigrant was living in New York. Another would authorize state grants for organizations to hire, train and equip staff to provide legal aid to people facing deportation.

“In a world where the threat of mass deportations is imminent,” the legislation “gives people an opportunity to fight their case, to fight for their families, to fight for their rights,” Cruz said.

Cruz estimates 60% of the residents in her New York City legislative district are noncitizens, adding, “People are terrified.”

New York is among several states that already fund legal aid for immigrants. But advocates want about twice as much money as Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed.

“This is a moment where investing in due process and fairness for immigrants at risk in New York is of fundamental importance,” said Shayna Kessler, director of a universal representation initiative at the nonprofit Vera Institute of Justice.

Help for immigrants seeking legal status

Some legislative proposals also would fund attorneys who could help immigrants obtain legal residency.

A bill by Oregon state Sen. Lisa Reynolds would require the state Department of Human Services to offer grants to nonprofits to help people who aren’t citizens change their immigration status or become lawful permanent residents. It would provide $6 million to launch the program during the budget biennium beginning in July.

“Oregon has had a very proud tradition of doing all we can to help those who have recently immigrated to our state from other countries, and especially those who have been political refugees,” Reynolds said. “We’re all feeling a little more urgency around this.”