Photo: Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a news conference regarding immigration enforcement at the Justice Department, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced the Department of Justice has filed civil charges against the state of New York, citing the state’s failure to comply with federal law in enforcing immigration laws.
In the lawsuit, Bondi specifically named Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles Mark Schroder.
Bondi announced the lawsuit during a Wednesday evening news conference at the DOJ. She claims state officials failed to listen after the DOJ sued the state of Illinois for not complying with federal immigration laws.
“As you know, we sued Illinois and New York didn’t listen. So now you’re next,” Bondi told reporters.
The attorney general accused New York of prioritizing “illegal aliens over American citizens.”
Bondi lamented the flow of immigration and the dangers it poses to communities.
“Millions of illegal aliens with violent records have flooded into our communities, bringing violence and deadly drugs with them,” said the attorney general.
Bondi warned other states that they will be next and that they aren’t complying with federal immigration law.
“If you don’t comply with federal law, we will hold you accountable. 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,” she said.
The attorney general referenced New York’s green light laws, which she claims are “giving a green light to any illegal alien in New York.”
She explained the hurdles law enforcement officers face with the green light law.
“Law enforcement officers cannot check their identity if they pull them over, 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,” Bondi said.
The immigration issue has become a lightning rod in New York, specifically New York City. Mayor Eric Adams is beginning to pivot on the issue. He began raising alarms about the strain the crisis has had on the city.
The state and city have noted significant financial strains stemming from housing and providing services caring for the migrants.
The Office of the New York State Comptroller reported that in the 2025-2026 Executive Budget Financial Plan, the state plans to spend $4.3 billion between fiscal years 2022-2023 through 2025-2026 on emergency spending for migrants. “Emergency spending for asylum seekers totaled $1.66 billion” through Jan. 31, 2025.
Meanwhile, New York City has recorded expenditures of $1.47 billion in fiscal year 2023, $3.75 billion in 2024 and $1.74 billion in 2025, although the comptrollers acknowledged that FY 2025 expenses are not yet final.
In addition to financial strain, New York has had its fair share of issues with migrant crime – specifically the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, which has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
According to ICE, the Tren de Aragua gang is known for engaging in various criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and violent crimes – including murder.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed earlier on Wednesday that FEMA spent $59 million to house migrants in luxury New York City hotels, including the Roosevelt, which housed migrant violent gang members.
Noem disclosed that the hotel, at the expense of taxpayers, was being used as a base of operations for the violent gang and served as a residence to the convicted killer of Laken Riley.
Some of the gang members were tied to assaults on New York Police Department officers in Times Square last year. The attack garnered national outrage after four of the Venezuelan migrants indicted in the attack were apprehended by federal law enforcement but were released without deportation.
4 thoughts on “Bondi files charges against New York governor, attorney general citing immigration – The Center Square”
The Democrat Biden-Obama regime misused federal law for four years against Donald J Trump. Now, the true federal law regarding illegal immigration is being enforced and it applies to all breaking the law including NY governor, NY attorney general and NYC prosecutors. This suit may require an emergency appeal to the SCOTUS as NY is defiant as well as denying the constitution.
A reminder; to remove Biden’s illegals 5,000 per day will require 6.6 years! Stopping suspecific payments payments to all states with sanctuary city-state statius will speed up the process. Hopefully, many more will self deport knowing their turn is coming.
Not mentioned is the fact those employed with false SS numbers; the employer should be sued and fined for hiring illegals because SS sends out “no match” letters to employers for them to correct or take action. To not take action and not fire an illegal is clearly breaking federal law. This should be d-o-n-e done!
You are so right Tom! I agree with everything you said. The employers of illegals need to be held accountable. Hopefully, every person that’s in our country illegally will either self deport or be deported by ICE and I do mean every person. I have no sympathy for anyone who crossed the border illegally no matter how long ago it happened.
I have heard that employers will let go employees with compromised social security numbers. The problem is that when “Juan” is let go for having a bogus social security number he will come back next week as “Pedro” with a new social security number and rehired.
Another example of the two-tiered justice system in the U.S. This has to change or these violator will never stop breaking the law.
When a Citizens commits a violation of law, they get arrested, indicted, convicted and sent to jail.
When a Governor, State Attorney General or other State Executive violates the Law they only get sued?
We the People say: LOCK THEM UP!
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