In a bold move, Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a lawsuit against New York State, its governor Kathy Hochul, and other top state officials. This action, part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, comes after similar moves against Illinois and Chicago.
A strong stand from the DOJ
Pam Bondi, speaking at her first press conference as Attorney General, made it clear that this new Department of Justice (DOJ) will not back down. “We are taking steps to protect Americans,” Bondi declared, standing firm against what she called New York’s illegal immigrant-friendly policies. She accused the state of putting illegal immigrants first, at the expense of U.S. citizens. “It stops today,” she said, warning that more lawsuits could follow if other states don’t comply with federal laws.
The controversial green light law
Bondi’s lawsuit specifically targets New York’s “Green Light Law.” This law allows undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers’ licenses while blocking federal agents from accessing vital data. Bondi slammed this law as a direct attack on federal immigration laws. The state’s DMV Commissioner, Mark Schroeder, is included in the suit because of this controversial policy.
Governor Hochul responds
New York Governor Kathy Hochul quickly fired back, calling the lawsuit a “worthless, publicity-driven move.” She emphasized that the state law has been upheld repeatedly and that federal agents already have access to DMV data with a judicial warrant. Hochul insists that New York is committed to supporting law-abiding immigrants while cracking down on criminals. “We won’t let federal agents violate New Yorkers’ privacy,” she said.
The battle over sanctuary cities
This lawsuit comes just a day after the DOJ asked federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Despite recent tensions over immigration policies, Adams had previously stated his willingness to work with Trump on immigration issues. However, as more migrants flood New York City, Adams and other officials face increasing pressure to deal with the crisis.
Rising concerns among migrants
While the Justice Department pushes for stricter immigration policies, many migrants are terrified of the potential for deportation under Trump’s crackdown. Some are even planning to flee the U.S. to countries like Costa Rica, fearing the loss of their chance to stay in the country.
Homan’s call for more arrests
Tom Homan, a former ICE official, has expressed frustration with the pace of arrests. Though the number of daily arrests has increased this year, Homan argues that it’s still not enough. He believes that sanctuary cities like New York are hindering ICE’s ability to deport illegal migrants, particularly those with criminal backgrounds. “We need to ramp up arrests,” he said, stressing that the current numbers are far from satisfactory.
Investigations into leaked intel
In addition to the immigration crackdown, Homan revealed that the DOJ and Homeland Security are investigating leaks of sensitive information. Initial reports suggest that an FBI official may be behind the leaks, and Homan has vowed that anyone involved will face severe consequences. “They’re going to lose their job, their pension, and likely face jail time,” he declared.
The DOJ’s aggressive strategy
Bondi and Homan are working together to enforce Trump’s immigration agenda more aggressively than ever. This includes not just lawsuits against sanctuary cities but also increased coordination between federal agencies to ensure that those who are in the U.S. illegally are swiftly removed. Bondi made it clear: New York and other states need to comply with federal laws or face further legal action.
The battle over sanctuary cities is just beginning. With Bondi and the DOJ vowing to take action, New York’s legal fight is likely to drag on. Meanwhile, states that are seen as harboring illegal immigrants will continue to face pressure from the federal government to change their policies. The immigration crisis is far from over, and the legal battles are set to intensify.
