Justice Department Sues New York Over Immigration Policy Compliance

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department has initiated legal action against New York State officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, for alleged noncompliance with federal immigration law, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced during a press conference Wednesday.

The lawsuit targets New York’s controversial Green Light Law, which permits undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses while simultaneously limiting federal agencies’ access to state motor vehicle information. Authorities argue that the law obstructs efforts to enforce immigration rules.

“New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops today,” Bondi said. She referenced a previous case against Illinois, stating, “We did it to Illinois. Strike one. Strike two is New York, and if you’re a state not complying with federal law? You’re next.”

Bondi detailed that the law includes a provision requiring the state’s DMV commissioner to inform undocumented individuals when federal agencies request their information, which she labeled as “tipping off” illegal immigrants.

During the announcement, Bondi recounted the tragic case of a mother whose daughter was murdered in 2022 by a member of the MS-13 gang, emphasizing the dangers posed by non-compliance with federal immigration policies. “Violent criminals, gang members, drug traffickers, and human smugglers will no longer terrorize the American people,” she asserted.

The lawsuit arrives shortly after similar actions were taken against Illinois and highlights ongoing tensions between state and federal governance regarding immigration enforcement. States such as Chicago and New York have established policies that limit cooperation with federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

As part of the lawsuit, New York’s Attorney General Letitia James and Mark Schroeder, the state’s DMV head, are also named as defendants. The Justice Department has yet to release the full text of the civil complaint.

Additionally, Bondi faced questions regarding the dropping of a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, clarifying that she was unaware of the U.S. Attorney’s decision to dismiss the case.

As this legal battle unfolds, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House this Thursday. This developing story will be updated as further details emerge.