The Department of Justice announced a lawsuit on Wednesday against the state of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and the head of the Department of Motor Vehicles – over New York’s sanctuary laws – which limit or forbid local or state law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement – and stop so-called Greenlight laws – that prohibit police officers during traffic stops to ask for immigration status.
At a press conference in Washington D.C. Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops. It stops today.”
Wednesday night, New York Attorney General James released this statement in response to the DOJ’s suit:
“Our state laws, including the Green Light law, protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe. I am prepared to defend our laws, just as I always have.”
Governor Kathy Hochul released this statement as well:
“Earlier today, Attorney General Pam Bondi marched in front of the television cameras for a dramatic media briefing to announce she was filing charges against New York State related to our immigration laws. Hours later, when legal papers were shared with reporters, we learned this was smoke and mirrors: the Department of Justice was filing a routine civil action about a law passed in 2019 that has been upheld by the courts time and again.
“Here are the facts: our current laws allow federal immigration officials to access any DMV database with a judicial warrant. That’s a common-sense approach that most New Yorkers support. But there’s no way I’m letting federal agents, or Elon Musk’s shadowy DOGE operation, get unfettered access to the personal data of any New Yorker in the DMV system like 16-year-old kids learning to drive and other vulnerable people.
“New York is proud that immigrants from across the globe come here searching for a better life — people like my grandparents who left Ireland looking for the American dream. We welcome law-abiding individuals who want to work, pay taxes and contribute to our communities, while at the same time protecting the public safety of all New Yorkers by cracking down on violent criminals.
“We expect Pam Bondi’s worthless, publicity-driven lawsuit to be a total failure, just like all the others. Let me be clear: New York is not backing down.”
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
