Yes. They absolutely do.
The legal foundation for non-cooperation is clear, strong, and backed by decades of precedent—and it begins with the U.S. Constitution.
The Tenth Amendment Says: You Can’t Be Forced to Help
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states and the people. That includes the power for cities and counties to decide how their resources and personnel are used.
In plain terms:
The federal government can enforce its own laws. But it cannot force local governments to help.
This is called the anti-commandeering doctrine, and it’s been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in multiple cases. Cities and states cannot be compelled to enforce or participate in federal policies—especially when those policies go against local values or constitutional protections.
Legal Precedents for Local Non-Cooperation
Here are key rulings that make Ventura’s authority crystal clear:
- Printz v. United States (1997)
The Supreme Court ruled that the federal government cannot require local law enforcement to carry out federal background checks. This case laid the foundation for all modern non-cooperation policies. - Murphy v. NCAA (2018)
The Court reaffirmed that Congress cannot force states or their officials to adopt or enforce federal law. This reinforced the anti-commandeering doctrine in a modern context. - New York v. United States (1992)
This ruling blocked a federal law that would have forced states to take ownership of radioactive waste, affirming that the federal government cannot compel state governments to regulate.
The principle is simple:
Local governments can say no.
And in the face of unjust federal action, they should.
Non-Cooperation Is Legal. It’s Also Proven.
This isn’t new or radical. Cities across the country have used non-cooperation policies for decades to protect vulnerable communities:
- Sanctuary cities for immigrants
- Marijuana decriminalization zones
- Local bans on federal surveillance partnerships
These cities weren’t punished. They weren’t defunded. Many have thrived as models of human rights and community leadership.
Ventura Has the Right. Now It Needs the Will.
Ventura has every legal right to adopt a non-cooperation policy like CARE. We are not asking the city to break the law. We are asking it to uphold the Constitution—and to stand between its residents and federal policies rooted in bigotry, not justice.
This isn’t defiance. It’s discretion.
This isn’t rebellion. It’s responsibility.
We are not powerless. We are protected. And the law is on our side—if we’re willing to use it.