DOJ sues New York over sanctuary city policies

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a press conference Wednesday said the Department of Justice will sue New York over the state’s sanctuary city policies. Last month President Donald Trump signed an executive order removing federal funding for sanctuary jurisdictions, while instructing federal authorities to crack down on them using any available criminal and civil penalties. It was the Trump administration’s policy to protect the country from illegal immigrants, the order said.

New York officials had chosen to prioritize illegal immigrants over American citizens, Bondi said. And many of those illegal immigrants in New York posed a threat to American lives, Bondi added. She brought up the case of Tammy Nobles, who she called an angel mom, because Nobles’ daughter was killed by an illegal immigrant, a member of the international crime gang MS-13 .

What have authorities in New York said? New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office would continue to uphold the laws of New York, including the so-called Green Light Law. The law prohibits the state’s motor vehicles department from sharing driver’s license information with homeland security. She characterized the law as a measure that protects the rights of all New Yorkers and keeps the community safe.

Is it just New York that is getting sued? Bondi said in her press conference Wednesday that her office had brought legal action against Illinois officials over sanctuary city policies in that state. Last week, the DOJ sued Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over state and local laws making Chicago a sanctuary city. Mayor Johnson issued a statement saying his city would continue to welcome everyone.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report in The Sift about Pamela Bondi’s confirmation hearing last month.