Newly sworn-in Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration has initiated legal action against New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James. The lawsuit alleges that these state officials have violated federal law by deliberately shielding illegal immigrants. In a forceful press conference, Bondi declared, “This is a new DOJ. New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops. It stops today.”
This legal move, which also targets Mark Schroeder, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner, centers on New York’s controversial “Green Light” laws—legislation that permits illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. Bondi argued that by enacting these laws, New York is effectively giving illegal aliens a “green light” to reside in the state without subjecting them to the full scrutiny of federal law enforcement, as officers are restricted from accessing driver’s license databases during routine stops.
“This law prohibits federal agencies from accessing New York’s driver’s license information, effectively leaving law enforcement with no way to verify the identity of individuals during traffic stops,” Bondi explained. “If these great men and women are pulled over without access to critical background information, their safety is at risk every single day. If you don’t comply with federal law, we will hold you accountable. We did it in Illinois—strike one. Strike two is New York. And if any state fails to comply with federal mandates, you’re next. Get ready.”
This announcement follows recent actions by the Department of Justice, which last week requested that a federal judge strike down sanctuary laws in Chicago and Illinois. In response to Bondi’s lawsuit, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement late Wednesday night, dismissing the legal action as “worthless” and “driven by publicity.” She argued that New York’s current laws provide federal immigration officials with access to DMV databases when accompanied by a judicial warrant, a measure supported by most New Yorkers. “There is no way I’m letting federal agents, or any other organization, gain unfettered access to the personal data of New Yorkers—especially vulnerable groups such as teenagers learning to drive,” Hochul stated.
