The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has filed a lawsuit against the state of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul, and New York Attorney General Letitia James over immigration enforcement policies. The lawsuit, announced on Wednesday, challenges New York’s laws regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities, escalating tensions between the state and the federal government.
Lawsuit Details and Allegations
During a press conference, Attorney General Bondi accused New York of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over American citizens. She referenced Illinois as a previous target of federal legal action and warned that New York is next for refusing to comply with federal immigration policies.
Bondi outlined several key allegations in the lawsuit, including:
- New York laws requiring state officials to notify undocumented immigrants if federal agents seek information about their immigration status.
- State statutes preventing cooperation between state and federal law enforcement on immigration matters.
- Obstruction of federal immigration law enforcement, which Bondi argued violates national security and public safety policies.
New York’s Response
Attorney General Letitia James
In response, New York Attorney General Letitia James defended the state’s immigration policies, stating:
“Our state laws, including the Green Light law, protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe. I am prepared to defend our laws, just as I always have.”
Governor Kathy Hochul
Governor Hochul dismissed the lawsuit as “smoke and mirrors,” claiming it was a routine civil action over a 2019 law that has already been upheld by the courts. She criticized the federal government’s attempt to access New York’s DMV system, which she argued would expose personal data of young drivers and vulnerable residents.
“There’s no way I’m letting federal agents, or Elon Musk’s shadowy DOGE operation, get unfettered access to the personal data of any New Yorker,” Hochul said.
She further called the lawsuit “worthless” and vowed that New York would not back down.
Mayor Eric Adams Not Included in the Lawsuit
Notably, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was absent from the lawsuit. The Justice Department recently paused its probe into Adams’ office, citing the need for him to focus on illegal immigration and crime in New York City.
Bondi hinted that federal prosecutors may soon drop charges against Adams, expressing hope that he would cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Victim’s Mother Speaks Out
During the press conference, Tammy Nobles, the mother of a woman murdered by an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, spoke about the impact of undocumented immigrant crime. Her testimony reinforced the Justice Department’s argument that New York’s sanctuary policies endanger public safety.
Federal Immigration Crackdown Intensifies
Since taking office, Attorney General Bondi has aggressively targeted sanctuary jurisdictions. She has issued directives to cut federal funding for any city or state that refuses to cooperate with federal immigration law enforcement.
Key Justice Department memos under Bondi’s leadership include:
- Enforcing compliance with federal immigration laws at state and local levels.
- Restricting state officials from impeding immigration enforcement.
- Increasing resources to combat transnational cartels and drug trafficking organizations.
Recent Actions Against Illinois and Chicago
This lawsuit follows a similar case against Illinois, where the Justice Department sued Chicago and other jurisdictions for obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
Trump Administration’s Influence
Bondi’s immigration policies align with former President Donald Trump’s stance on strict enforcement and deportation efforts. Emil Bove, Bondi’s deputy, has directed prosecutors nationwide to prioritize Trump’s immigration agenda.
Elon Musk’s Criticism of Federal Judges
During the press conference, Bondi also addressed Elon Musk’s call to impeach federal judges who have ruled against Trump’s policies. Musk, now head of the Department of Government Efficiency, has criticized courts blocking Trump’s immigration policies.
Bondi clarified that impeachment efforts were not currently under consideration but assured that the Justice Department would appeal rulings against its policies.
