City Council members in New York are calling for the Department of Justice to challenge the city’s sanctuary city laws, which they argue hinder cooperation between local and federal authorities on immigration enforcement. A bipartisan coalition known as the Common Sense Caucus wrote to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday, urging her department to take legal action against New York City’s policies regarding undocumented immigrants.
In their letter, the caucus pointed out that the DOJ is already suing New York State for its 2019 “Green Light Law.” This legislation allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses and restricts federal access to state Department of Motor Vehicles data. The council members requested that the DOJ expand its legal efforts to encompass New York City’s sanctuary policies, which they claim protect criminal aliens and compromise public safety.
David Carr, a Republican council member from Staten Island, spearheaded the movement, noting that the Constitution grants the federal government authority over immigration and border security. He expressed confidence that the courts would favor the DOJ in pushing local authorities to comply with federal immigration laws.
The city’s sanctuary policies began in 2011 with a ban on detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless they included a judicial warrant and the individual had a serious criminal record from the past five years. Over the subsequent years, additional legislation was enacted to further restrict coordination between the New York City Police Department and the city’s Department of Correction.
Lawmakers opposed to the sanctuary laws have characterized them as misguided and detrimental to public safety. Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola, a Republican from Queens, stated that the policies effectively offer protection to dangerous criminals who take advantage of the city’s immigrant-friendly stance. She remains hopeful that the current federal administration will assist in reversing these regulations.
While council members campaign against these laws, Mayor Eric Adams, who has garnered support from Trump’s administration, maintains that the sanctuary policies contribute to the safety of New York City. In a recent radio appearance, he encouraged residents to report crimes to the police and seek medical care when needed, reinforcing a message of trust between public safety officials and the immigrant community.
The Department of Justice has not provided any comments regarding the matter.
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