The Justice Department has taken legal action against New York, accusing state officials of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over American citizens.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the lawsuit on Wednesday, February 12, stating that New York’s policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and put public safety at risk.
The lawsuit names Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark Schroeder.
Hochul’s office has yet to respond, while James has vowed to defend the state’s laws, asserting, “I am prepared to defend our laws, just as I always have.”
Bondi emphasized that New York’s policies limit law enforcement’s ability to collaborate with immigration authorities, allowing criminals to evade accountability.
She highlighted the tragic case of Kayla Hamilton, a 20-year-old woman killed in 2022 by an MS-13 gang member in New York.
“Yet he was released, flown to Maryland, where he committed this violent murder,” Bondi stated.
However, she did not specify the legal violations committed by the state but insisted that restricting background checks on undocumented individuals creates security risks.
Meanwhile, this lawsuit follows a similar one filed against Illinois, where the Justice Department challenged sanctuary policies that allegedly hinder federal enforcement.
The lawsuit also comes amid ongoing legal battles over former President Donald Trump’s policies, including efforts to restrict government spending and limit birthright citizenship.
Several federal court rulings have temporarily blocked these measures, prompting criticism from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argued that legal challenges undermine the democratic process, stating,
“77 million Americans voted to elect this president. Each injunction is an abuse of the rule of law and an attempt to thwart the will of the people.”
Trump has committed to following the court rulings but plans to pursue legal avenues to overturn them.
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and longtime prosecutor, assured lawmakers during her confirmation that her role in the Justice Department would remain independent of political influence.
“Politics will not play a part,”she said.
Despite this assurance, Trump has appointed several former defense lawyers to high-ranking Justice Department positions and has issued pardons to nearly all individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
The ongoing legal battles reflect a broader debate on immigration policies and the limits of state authority, reinforcing the government’s message that laws must be upheld to maintain order and fairness.
