The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against New York, alleging that the state’s Protect Our Courts Act and related executive orders undermine federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit, announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, targets New York’s 2020 legislation and two executive orders signed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo. According to the DOJ, these laws and policies are intended to shield dangerous aliens from lawful detention by restricting the ability of ICE agents to carry out civil arrests near courthouses and state facilities.
The Protect Our Courts Act, passed in 2020, bars ICE agents from carrying out civil arrests within and around New York state courts. The DOJ argues that this, along with the two executive orders, creates an “intolerable obstacle” to federal immigration enforcement. The agency claims these policies violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, as they directly regulate and discriminate against federal law enforcement. The DOJ’s statement highlights that these laws force federal officials to obtain criminal arrest warrants for illegal aliens, even though Congress has authorized the use of civil arrest warrants for such cases. This, the agency argues, undermines the statutory mandate of federal agents to detain and remove illegal aliens.
The lawsuit was filed in the federal district court for the Northern District of New York, Albany Division, where the DOJ is seeking a ruling that the state’s policies are invalid and unenforceable under federal law. The agency also argues that these policies are contributing to the chaos and violence seen in states like California, where law enforcement has struggled with the presence of undocumented immigrants. Attorney General Bondi, in a statement released by the DOJ, accused New York of “undermining immigration enforcement” and warned that such “lawless sanctuary policies” are driving the instability seen in other states.
In response, spokespersons for New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James defended the state’s policies, emphasizing that New York cooperates with federal officials in removing convicted criminals but maintains the right of residents to access the courts without fear of immigration enforcement. They called the lawsuit a “waste of federal resources” and argued that the Protect Our Courts Act ensures due process for all individuals, including immigrants, by allowing them to participate in the judicial system without intimidation from federal law enforcement.
The lawsuit marks the latest in a series of legal battles between the DOJ and states accused of implementing “sanctuary policies.” Previous cases have targeted similar laws in cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The DOJ’s approach reflects President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to prioritize immigration enforcement and challenge states that it views as obstructing federal authority. The legal dispute highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration policy and state autonomy, with critics arguing that such laws protect vulnerable communities while supporters claim they are vital to preserving due process and safety for all residents.