Bondi Files Suit Against More ‘Sanctuary’ States, Cities
Newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed on Wednesday that the Trump administration has initiated legal action against the state of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James, alleging that they have violated federal law by protecting illegal immigrants.
“This is a new DOJ,” Bondi declared at a press briefing. “New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops. It stops today.”
Mark Schroeder, the commissioner of New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles, has also been named in the lawsuit. Bondi highlighted New York’s Green Light laws, formally known as the Driver’s License Act, which permits undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
The law further restricts federal agencies from accessing driver’s license records within the state.
“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 stated. “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.”
“If you don’t comply with federal law, we will hold you accountable,” Bondi warned. “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.”
Just last week, the Justice Department requested that a federal judge invalidate sanctuary policies in Chicago and Illinois.
Hochul responded late Wednesday, dismissing the lawsuit as “worthless” and “driven by publicity,” issuing a detailed statement condemning Bondi’s move to take legal action against New York and its officials.
“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,” Hochul stated.
“New York is proud that immigrants from across the globe come here searching for a better life—people like my grandparents who left Ireland looking for the American dream. 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,” she added.
“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,” Hochul concluded.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also issued a response Wednesday night, asserting: “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 stood alongside “angel mom” Tammy Nobles from Maryland. Nobles’ 20-year-old daughter, Kayla Hamilton, was tragically raped and murdered in 2022 by an illegal immigrant affiliated with MS-13.
The Department of Homeland Security “did not do their jobs,” Nobles said, her voice breaking at times as she recounted her daughter’s story, according to Fox News.
“They did not check his background,” she emphasized. “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.”