New York is facing a lawsuit from the Department of Justice over its policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday that the legal action targets Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder for their roles in enforcing the state’s Green Light Law.
The law, which allows illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, prevents state agencies from sharing DMV records with federal authorities. It also includes a provision that requires notifying illegal immigrants when their records are requested by immigration enforcement, a practice the DOJ argues obstructs federal operations.
Bondi said the lawsuit is part of a broader effort to hold states accountable for policies that hinder immigration enforcement. She pointed to a similar case recently filed against Illinois and suggested that other states with sanctuary laws could be next.
Law enforcement officials have warned that restricting access to DMV records makes it more difficult to track criminal activity and identify individuals. Bondi echoed those concerns, saying that limiting information-sharing puts officers and the public at risk.
New York officials have defended the law, with Hochul and James arguing that the state has the right to determine how it handles law enforcement cooperation. The lawsuit is expected to be contested in court as state leaders push back against federal intervention.
The legal challenge comes as the DOJ increases its focus on eliminating sanctuary policies, with additional lawsuits and funding restrictions likely in the near future.
