New York is facing a federal lawsuit over its refusal to cooperate with immigration enforcement, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, takes aim at Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder for policies that prevent state agencies from working with federal immigration officials.
The legal challenge focuses on New York’s Green Light Law, which not only grants driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants but also prohibits state agencies from sharing DMV records with federal authorities. Additionally, the law requires illegal immigrants to be notified if their records are requested by federal agencies. The DOJ argues that this policy impedes immigration enforcement and creates unnecessary risks for law enforcement personnel.
Bondi highlighted that this lawsuit follows a similar case recently filed against Illinois and warned that additional states could be targeted if they continue blocking federal immigration enforcement.
State officials have pushed back against the lawsuit, with Hochul defending New York’s policies as necessary measures to protect immigrant communities. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have raised concerns that these restrictions make it more difficult to verify individuals’ identities and enforce the law.
The Trump administration has escalated efforts to dismantle sanctuary policies, a sharp departure from former President Joe Biden’s administration, which allowed these laws to remain in place.
With ongoing litigation in multiple states, the DOJ has indicated that more legal actions could be coming as the administration continues its push for stricter immigration enforcement.
