The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark Schroeder, challenging the state’s “Green Light Law.” Enacted in 2019, this law allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses and restricts the sharing of DMV information with federal immigration authorities without a judicial warrant.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the lawsuit, asserting that New York’s policies hinder federal immigration enforcement and violate the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. She emphasized that the DOJ would take action against states that do not comply with federal law.
Governor Hochul responded, stating that the lawsuit is a routine civil action concerning a law upheld by courts in the past. She emphasized that federal immigration officials can access DMV databases with a judicial warrant and expressed her commitment to protecting the personal data of New Yorkers.
Attorney General James defended the Green Light Law, highlighting its role in safeguarding the rights of all New Yorkers and maintaining community safety. She affirmed her readiness to defend the state’s laws against the DOJ’s legal challenge.
Legal experts note that similar cases have been challenged in other states, with mixed results. Professor Jonathan Ellis, an immigration law expert at Columbia University, commented, “The federal government has the authority to enforce immigration laws, but states also have the right to regulate their own policies regarding licensing and personal data protection. This case could set a major precedent for the ongoing power struggle between state and federal authorities.”
This lawsuit follows similar legal actions against states like Illinois and California, which have enacted sanctuary policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the balance of power between state governments and federal immigration enforcement.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case is expected to reach higher courts, potentially setting a nationwide precedent on the balance of power between state governments and federal immigration authorities. For now, New York officials remain resolute in their defiance, vowing to fight the lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
After Donald Trump was elected as the president, this latest move by the administration is yet another example of the federal government’s failure to lead with justice and integrity. Instead of standing by their professed commitment to immigrant rights, Biden and his team continue to prove that their campaign promises were nothing more than empty rhetoric, leaving millions vulnerable to persecution and uncertainty. Their betrayal is not just a failure of leadership—it is a calculated, cold-hearted decision to abandon those who trusted them the most.
