In a bold move signaling a new direction for the Department of Justice, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against New York State, targeting Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder.

The lawsuit claims that these officials are violating federal law by shielding illegal immigrants from enforcement, particularly through New York’s Green Light laws, which allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses while restricting federal access to DMV databases.

Bondi called this a “new DOJ” and declared that New York’s prioritization of illegal immigrants over American citizens would end. The lawsuit argues that the Green Light laws jeopardize public safety by preventing law enforcement from accessing critical background checks on drivers, increasing the risk to officers and the public.

In response, Governor Hochul defended the laws, emphasizing New York’s commitment to protecting immigrants and public safety. She criticized Bondi’s lawsuit as a publicity stunt. Attorney General James also vowed to defend the state’s sanctuary policies, calling them essential for New Yorkers’ safety.

The announcement was accompanied by the emotional testimony of Tammy Nobles, who shared the tragic story of her daughter’s death at the hands of an illegal immigrant, which Bondi framed as a consequence of lax immigration policies. This case is part of a broader Trump administration effort to challenge sanctuary laws nationwide.

This lawsuit marks a pivotal moment in the debate over immigration policy, as it challenges states’ rights to implement sanctuary policies that prioritize protecting immigrants. The outcome will have lasting implications for the relationship between federal mandates and state policies on immigration enforcement.