AG Bondi Sues NY State Officials Over Immigration Enforcement Restrictions
Ever wonder how much New York taxpayers are paying to protect illegal aliens? The answer might shock you – and so will what’s coming next.
Sanctuary cities have long thumbed their noses at federal immigration law. Despite clear constitutional authority giving the federal government power over immigration enforcement, progressive strongholds continue sheltering illegal aliens from deportation.
That defiant stance is proving increasingly costly for blue states. With federal funding in the crosshairs and new enforcement priorities taking shape, the battle lines are being drawn. Elections, as they say, have consequences.
For New York’s leadership, the wake-up call arrived yesterday in dramatic fashion. In a forceful announcement that signals a new era of immigration enforcement, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed the Department of Justice is taking New York state to court over its sanctuary policies. The lawsuit specifically targets Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and state DMV leadership.
DOJ Takes Historic Action
“This is a new DOJ,” Bondi declared during her Washington press conference. “New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops. It stops today.”
The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of New York, takes direct aim at the state’s controversial “Green Light Law” which provides driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants while actively blocking federal immigration authorities from accessing DMV records. Remember when liberals claimed this was about “driver safety?” Here’s your reality check.
“Violent criminals, gang members, drug traffickers, human smugglers will no longer terrorize the American people, and that is why we are here today,” Bondi said.
The action follows last week’s similar lawsuit against Illinois over its sanctuary policies, demonstrating the DOJ’s commitment to confronting sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide. The message couldn’t be clearer: the free ride is over.
Here’s where it gets interesting for hardworking taxpayers. The financial implications for New York could be staggering. According to the Center for Immigration Services, New York City alone received more than $1.56 billion in law enforcement grants during 2023. Those funds are now at risk.
Bondi’s department has already frozen all DOJ funding for 60 days to sanctuary jurisdictions across the country. For New York City, this threatens over $8 billion in anticipated federal funding for fiscal year 2025. That’s a billion with a B, folks.
Think about it: While New York citizens struggle with rising costs, their leaders chose to protect illegal aliens over securing federal funding for essential services. How’s that for progressive priorities?
Real World Consequences
The DOJ’s action coincides with an aggressive nationwide deportation campaign led by border czar Tom Homan, who has already removed 11,000 migrants targeted for criminal charges or convictions. This isn’t just about numbers – it’s about American lives.
The human cost of sanctuary policies was tragically highlighted in the recent Laken Riley case, where an illegal immigrant previously arrested in Queens but protected by sanctuary policies went on to commit a heinous crime in Georgia. How many more Laken Rileys will it take?
Governor Hochul’s office responded defensively, claiming through a spokesperson that she “supports deporting violent criminals who break our laws” while believing “law-abiding families should not be targets.” But actions speak louder than words.
The DOJ’s complaint argues that New York’s policies actively obstruct federal authorities and put law enforcement officers at unnecessary risk by denying them crucial information about the individuals they encounter.
The governor is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump next week during the National Governors Association meeting in Washington, where this escalating confrontation will likely take center stage. Something tells me this won’t be a friendly chat over coffee.
The battle lines between federal authority and sanctuary jurisdictions are now clearly drawn. As this legal challenge moves forward, New York faces a stark choice: continue protecting illegal aliens at mounting cost to taxpayers and public safety, or return to the rule of law that has long protected American communities.
For millions of law-abiding citizens watching this unfold, the DOJ’s message rings clear: The era of sanctuary city defiance is coming to an end. And not a moment too soon.
Sources: The Daily Caller, The New York Post