The Trump Administrations new Attorney General Pamela Bondi has announced a lawsuit against the State of New York.
The lawsuit targets NY Attorney General Letitia James and Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark Schroeder over immigration policies that Bondi claims prioritize undocumented immigrants over American citizens.
At a press conference, Bondi stated that New York’s policies have allowed millions of undocumented individuals with criminal records to enter U.S. communities, leading to violent crime and drug trafficking.
Legal Grounds for the Lawsuit
Bondi claims her lawsuit is part of a broader effort to challenge state-level sanctuary policies that limit cooperation between state agencies and federal immigration authorities.
She explained that New York has implemented laws that:
- Allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, restricting federal immigration enforcement from accessing DMV records.
- Limit state law enforcement’s ability to coordinate with federal immigration officials, making it more difficult for ICE to detain and deport individuals with criminal records.
This case follows previous litigation against Illinois for similar policies, which Bondi argues violate federal supremacy in immigration enforcement.
The Case of Kayla Hamilton
At the press conference, Angel Mom Tammy Nobles shared the tragic story of her daughter, Kayla Hamilton, who was murdered in 2022 by a known MS-13 gang member who had entered the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor.
According to Nobles, the perpetrator:
- Had a criminal record in El Salvador for gang-related offenses.
- Was flagged as an MS-13 gang member but was allowed into the U.S. under asylum protections.
- Was placed in government care before being released and ultimately renting a room in the same mobile home as Kayla.
- Raped, strangled, and robbed Kayla just days after moving in.
Bondi argued that state policies blocking cooperation with federal immigration enforcement directly contributed to Hamilton’s murder and many similar cases.
Federal vs. State Authority in Immigration
The lawsuit highlights a constitutional conflict over whether states have the right to refuse cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
- The Supremacy Clause (Article VI, U.S. Constitution) asserts that federal law takes precedence over state law in matters of immigration.
- The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) requires state agencies to cooperate with ICE and DHS in immigration enforcement.
- However, states like New York argue that they have the right to regulate local law enforcement’s involvement in immigration matters under the Tenth Amendment, which limits federal power over state governments.
Implications of the Case
Bondi’s legal challenge could set a major precedent on whether states can legally block federal immigration enforcement. If successful, the lawsuit could force states like New York, Illinois, and California to roll back sanctuary laws and increase cooperation with ICE.
This case also fuels the broader national debate on immigration enforcement, crime prevention, and the rights of victims’ families seeking justice.
