The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the state of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James, alleging that the state has failed to comply with federal immigration laws by implementing policies that protect illegal aliens.

Newly sworn-in Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the lawsuit during a news conference on Wednesday, emphasizing the administration’s stance on enforcing federal immigration laws.

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“This is a new DOJ,” Bondi declared. “New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops. It stops today.”

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The lawsuit also names Mark Schroeder, commissioner of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, as a defendant.

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Bondi specifically pointed to New York’s Green Light law, also known as the Driver’s License Act, which allows illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses while restricting federal agencies from accessing New York State driver’s license information.

Pam Bondi is sworn in during a Senate Judiciary committee hearing on her nomination to be Attorney General of the United States on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Washington, DC.

“They have green light laws, meaning they’re giving a green light to any illegal alien in New York, where law enforcement officers cannot check their identity if they pull them over,” Bondi explained.

“And law enforcement officers do not have access to their background. And if these great men and women pull over someone and don’t have access to their background, they have no idea who they’re dealing with, and it puts their lives on the line every single day.”

Bondi warned that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will not hesitate to hold states accountable for noncompliance with federal law.

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“If you don’t comply with federal law, we will hold you accountable,” Bondi stated.

“We did it to Illinois, strike one. Strike two is New York. And if you are a state not complying with federal law, you’re next. Get ready.”

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The lawsuit comes just a week after the DOJ asked a federal judge to strike down sanctuary policies in Illinois and Chicago.

Governor Hochul responded to the lawsuit late Wednesday, dismissing it as “worthless” and politically motivated.

“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,” Hochul said in a statement.

Hochul defended New York’s current policies, asserting that they strike a balance between law enforcement needs and privacy rights.

“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.”

She added that New York embraces immigrants who contribute to society while maintaining public safety.

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“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,” Hochul said.

“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.”

Attorney General Letitia James also responded, stating, “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.”

During the news conference, Bondi was joined by “angel mom” Tammy Nobles of Maryland, whose 20-year-old daughter, Kayla Hamilton, was raped and murdered in 2022 by an illegal immigrant and MS-13 member.

The Department of Homeland Security “did not do their jobs,” Nobles said, becoming emotional as she shared her daughter’s story.

“They did not check his background,” she said.

“I’m so thankful for Pam for having me here today, and I’m so thankful for the opportunities I got from Trump and any other platform — and for the people (allowing) me to share her story, because this is going to end.”

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The suspect, Walter Martinez, an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, entered the United States illegally through Texas as an unaccompanied minor in March 2022.

He was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol and eventually sent to Maryland to live with a sponsor.

Four months later, he moved to a mobile home in Aberdeen, where he was accused of murdering Hamilton.

Bondi reiterated her call for states to comply with federal immigration law to prevent further tragedies.

“We don’t want to sue you. We don’t want to prosecute people. We want people to comply with the law,” she said.

“This is very simple. An MS-13 member murdered her daughter. That’s happening throughout this country.”

“One angel mom is too many,” she added.

“And we have angel moms throughout this country who should not be going through this. Comply with the law. This is the last thing we want to be doing.”

The lawsuit marks another legal battle between the Trump administration and sanctuary jurisdictions, setting the stage for a broader national debate over immigration enforcement and states’ rights.

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