The U.S. Justice Department has taken legal action against New York state officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, for their alleged failure to enforce federal immigration law. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Wednesday that the lawsuit targets a law known as the “green light law,” which prohibits the state from sharing vehicle and address information with federal immigration authorities.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Albany, New York, argues that the New York law violates the U.S. Constitution, specifically a provision that states federal law supersedes any conflicting state or local laws. The Justice Department is seeking a court order to prevent New York from enforcing the law.
Bondi highlighted that the green light law hinders the state’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement by requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to notify individuals when their information is requested by federal immigration officials. She stated that the new Department of Justice is committed to protecting American citizens and criticized New York for prioritizing illegal immigrants over lawful residents.
In response to the lawsuit, Attorney General Letitia James asserted that New York’s laws, including the green light law, safeguard the rights of all residents and enhance community safety. This legal battle comes shortly after the Justice Department filed a similar lawsuit against Illinois for impeding immigration enforcement efforts.
The Trump administration has been ramping up immigration enforcement actions, with the Justice Department instructing federal prosecutors to prioritize immigration cases and potentially criminally investigate state and local officials who resist such efforts. Despite these directives, no criminal charges have been brought forth thus far.
The ongoing legal challenges against states like New York and Illinois underscore the administration’s commitment to enforcing federal immigration laws. It remains to be seen how these lawsuits will impact state-federal relations and immigration policies moving forward.
