On Thursday, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit against New York City, contesting its sanctuary city policies. The administration argues that these policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and have contributed to criminal activities, including the recent shooting of an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
This legal action marks the latest initiative in a series of lawsuits from the Justice Department aimed at targeting state and city policies perceived as hindering immigration enforcement. Attorney General Pamela Bondi criticized New York City, stating, “New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies. If New York City won’t stand up for the safety of its citizens, we will.”
The lawsuit names several city officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and focuses on policies that prevent law enforcement from honoring civil immigration detainers. These detainers would allow the city to hold individuals in custody beyond their standard release dates for immigration authorities.
Mayor Adams expressed support for the city's sanctuary policies but urged the City Council to reconsider them to enhance collaboration with federal officials on the issue of violent crime. "So far, the Council has refused," said Kayla Mamelak Altus, a spokesperson for the mayor.
The federal lawsuit follows claims from Trump officials that sanctuary policies were to blame for the shooting incident involving a Customs and Border Protection officer in Manhattan. The incident occurred in a park near the George Washington Bridge, where the officer, while off-duty, was shot during a confrontation with two men on a moped. The lawsuit mentions that one of the suspects had previously been arrested multiple times for entering the United States illegally from the Dominican Republic and had been released despite an active immigration detainer after a 2024 arrest.
According to the police, the officer was shot in the face and arm during an exchange of gunfire, while one of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds to the groin and leg. The lawsuit asserts that New York City's sanctuary policies contradict the supremacy clause of the Constitution, which is meant to uphold federal law. Similar lawsuits have been filed against numerous entities, including New York state, Colorado, Rochester, New York, Los Angeles, and others.
The complaint points out that New York City's history as a sanctuary city extends back to 1989, claiming that its efforts to resist federal immigration enforcement have grown stronger over time. The lawsuit maintains that the city’s policies, which limit cooperation and information-sharing with federal immigration agents, conflict with federal law.
Defending the city's position, Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, asserted that the city has no obligation to allocate resources for federal immigration enforcement. She emphasized that the long-standing bipartisan sanctuary laws have contributed positively to public safety, economic stability, and community strengthening, while also facilitating access to essential services for residents.
