The Justice Department filed a lawsuit Thursday against New York City, Mayor Eric Adams, and several city officials, alleging the city’s sanctuary policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and endanger public safety.
According to the complaint, New York’s refusal to cooperate with federal authorities has resulted in the release of thousands of criminal aliens, allowing violent offenders to remain on the streets. The lawsuit argues that the city’s actions violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and are preempted by federal law.
“New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “If New York City won’t stand up for the safety of its citizens, we will.”
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate added, “For too long, New York City has been at the vanguard of interfering with enforcing our immigration laws. Its efforts to thwart federal immigration enforcement end now.”
The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, is part of a broader crackdown by the Justice Department on jurisdictions with sanctuary policies. Over the past three months, the Department has filed similar lawsuits against Los Angeles, New York State, Colorado, Illinois, Rochester, and several cities in New Jersey. In one recent case, the mayor of Louisville withdrew the city’s sanctuary designation after facing a potential lawsuit from the Justice Department.
