Justice Department sues New York over driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants
The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has sued New York officials over a law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses while limiting data sharing with federal authorities.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in her inaugural news conference as U.S. attorney general that the Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against New York officials regarding a state law that permits the issuance of valid driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.
The newly appointed attorney general criticized the Biden administration's immigration policies and emphasized that state leaders must comply with federal immigration laws or face legal action. "This is a new DOJ," she asserted at the Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C. "And we are taking new steps to protect Americans."
The lawsuit specifically targets New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the state DMV head. The law in question limits state authorities from sharing license-related data with federal immigration agencies.
Bondi mistakenly referred to the lawsuit as a "charge," a terminology usually associated with criminal allegations, but later clarified that it is a civil matter.
In response, Attorney General James defended the state's Green Light law, stating, "Our state laws protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe." She expressed her readiness to defend New York's laws in court.
This action follows a similar lawsuit filed against Illinois and Chicago, with allegations of laws interfering with federal immigration enforcement. Bondi warned, "We sued Illinois, and New York didn't listen. So you're next."
Bondi's strong language echoed former President Donald Trump's rhetoric regarding illegal immigration, contrasting sharply with the approach of her predecessor Merrick Garland.
During the conference, Bondi highlighted the story of Tammy Nobles, whose daughter was murdered by an undocumented immigrant, underscoring her commitment to tackling such crimes. Nobles criticized the Department of Homeland Security for failing to screen her daughter's killer adequately.
While immigration enforcement is a priority under the Trump administration, legal experts, including Jacob Hamburger from Cornell University, suggested that current laws may not support the government's position in enforcing these immigration measures.
Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigration Coalition condemned Bondi's lawsuit, asserting it challenges state sovereignty and emphasizes the necessity of the Green Light law for public safety.
