Attorney General Pam Bondi Sues New York Over Immigration Law

Attorney General Pam Bondi Sues New York Over Immigration Law \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a lawsuit against New York, accusing state leaders of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over American citizens. The Justice Department is challenging the Green Light Law, which allows immigrants without legal status to obtain driver’s licenses. Bondi’s lawsuit, part of Trump’s immigration crackdown, follows similar legal action against Chicago’s sanctuary policies.

Trump’s DOJ Sues New York Over Immigration Law: Quick Looks

• Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a lawsuit against New York’s Green Light Law.
• The law allows immigrants without legal status to obtain driver’s licenses.
• Bondi accused NY Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul of protecting undocumented immigrants over citizens.
• The lawsuit aligns with Trump’s hardline immigration policies.
• Angel moms, including Tammy Nobles, joined Bondi in condemning crimes by undocumented immigrants.
• The case follows a DOJ lawsuit against Chicago over its sanctuary city policies.
• Bondi said the DOJ is prepared to challenge cities and states that resist federal immigration enforcement.

Deep Look

Bondi Takes Aim at New York’s Immigration Policy

Just days after taking office, Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed her first major lawsuit, targeting New York’s Green Light Law, which allows immigrants without legal status to obtain driver’s licenses.

In a press conference flanked by federal law enforcement agents, Bondi declared that Trump’s Justice Department would take aggressive steps to challenge states and cities resisting federal immigration enforcement.

“This is a new DOJ, and we are taking steps to protect Americans,” Bondi stated, standing alongside FBI, ATF, and DEA agents.

The Green Light Law: Why It’s Under Fire

New York’s Green Light Law, enacted in 2019, allows individuals to obtain a state-issued driver’s license regardless of immigration status.

Supporters argue that:

• It improves road safety by ensuring drivers are licensed and insured.
• It helps prevent hit-and-run accidents by allowing immigrants to report crashes without fear of deportation.

However, Trump’s DOJ argues that the law:

• Encourages illegal immigration.
• Shields undocumented individuals from federal enforcement.
• Requires New York DMV officials to notify undocumented license holders if federal agencies request their information.

Bondi accused New York leaders of undermining federal law, stating:

“Millions of illegal aliens with violent records have flooded into our communities, bringing violence and deadly drugs with them.”

Targeting Trump’s Political Adversaries?

The lawsuit specifically names New York Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul, two Democratic leaders who have clashed with Trump on multiple occasions.

James previously sued Trump, leading to a civil fraud judgment that could cost the former president nearly $500 million.

Critics say Bondi’s legal action appears politically motivated, raising concerns that the DOJ is being weaponized against Trump’s adversaries.

“We are prepared to defend the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe,” James responded in a statement.

Angel Moms & Personal Tragedies in the Immigration Debate

To reinforce Trump’s immigration agenda, Bondi stood alongside Tammy Nobles, an “angel mom” whose 20-year-old daughter Kayla was murdered in Maryland by an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador.

“This administration is ending the lawlessness that took my daughter’s life,” Nobles said tearfully.

Trump has frequently used angel moms to highlight crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, making them a centerpiece of his immigration platform.

Past Legal Fights Over New York’s Immigration Policies

This isn’t the first time Trump’s administration has targeted New York’s immigration laws.

In 2020, the Trump White House punished New York by blocking residents from enrolling in trusted traveler programs, which caused longer wait times at airport security checkpoints.

At the time, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo attempted to compromise by offering limited access to state driving records, but refused to allow immigration officials direct access to license holder data.

The Trump administration later reversed the ban, but the battle over New York’s immigration policies has continued.

Chicago Also Targeted in DOJ Crackdown

Bondi’s lawsuit against New York comes just days after the DOJ sued the city of Chicago, accusing it of:

• Blocking federal immigration enforcement.
• Allowing sanctuary city laws to interfere with deportation efforts.

These lawsuits signal an aggressive new legal strategy from Trump’s DOJ, seeking to challenge cities and states that resist his immigration policies.

What Happens Next?

• The lawsuit will proceed through federal court, though a copy of the complaint was not immediately available.
• New York officials will defend the law, arguing that it benefits public safety and does not violate federal immigration statutes.
• Other Democratic-led states with similar laws—including California and Illinois—may face similar legal challenges.
• The DOJ’s immigration crackdown is expected to intensify, targeting more sanctuary cities and state policies that conflict with Trump’s agenda.

Final Thoughts

Bondi’s high-profile lawsuit against New York marks the beginning of an aggressive new phase in Trump’s immigration crackdown. While Republicans argue that the lawsuit is necessary to uphold federal law, Democrats see it as a politically motivated attack on states resisting Trump’s agenda.

With other sanctuary cities and states on notice, the legal battle over immigration policy is far from over.

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