NEW YORK, NY — The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Thursday against New York City, Mayor Eric Adams, and other city officials, challenging the city’s sanctuary laws as unconstitutional.
Filed in the Eastern District of New York, the complaint alleges that New York’s policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The suit claims the city has released individuals from custody who were wanted by federal immigration authorities, allowing them to remain at large.
“New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate added, “Its efforts to thwart federal immigration enforcement end now.”
The action is part of a broader legal campaign by the Justice Department, which has recently filed similar lawsuits against jurisdictions including Los Angeles, New York State, Colorado, Illinois, and several cities in New Jersey.
The Department said it aims to invalidate local policies that prevent cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
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