Both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James have reacted to the lawsuit filed yesterday against them by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The Department of Justice named Hochul, James, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) head Mark Schroeder and New York state itself a defendants.
Hochul called the lawsuit publicity-driven and worthless while James said she is prepared to defend the state’s laws. The civil lawsuit was filed in federal court in Albany.
Bondi told reporters at a Department of Justice news conference in Washington that the lawsuit is based on the belief that state law inhibits the enforcement of federal immigration laws. She cited the so-called Green Light law that allows illegal immigrants to be issued state driver licenses. The law has been previously challenged in court and has been upheld.
“You will be held accountable if you do not follow federal law,” Bondi said. “It’s over, it ends, and we’re coming after you.”
Bondi claimed that the Green Light law is unconstitutional and has a provision requiring the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to “tip off” illegal immigrants when federal immigration authorities make an inquiry to DMV about them.
Hochul said, “Attorney General Pam Bondi marched in front of the television cameras for a dramatic media briefing to announce she was filing charges against New York state related to our immigration laws. Hours later, when legal papers were shared with reporters, we learned this was smoke and mirrors: the Department of Justice was filing a routine civil action about a law passed in 2019 that has been upheld by the courts time and again.”
Hochul said that the state’s current laws allow federal immigration officials to access any DMV database with a judicial warrant.
“That’s a common-sense approach that most New Yorkers support. But there’s no way I’m letting federal agents, or Elon Musk’s shadowy DOGE operation, get unfettered access to the personal data of any New Yorker in the DMV system like 16-year-old kids learning to drive and other vulnerable people,” Hochul said.
Hochul said that the state welcomes law-abiding individuals who want to work, pay taxes and contribute to communities.
“We expect Pam Bondi’s worthless, publicity-driven lawsuit to be a total failure, just like all the others,” Hochul said. “Let me be clear: New York is not backing down.”
For her part, Attorney General James said, “Our state laws, including the Green Light law, protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe. I am prepared to defend our laws, just as I always have.”
At the same time, Republican Congressman Mike Lawler who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District welcomed the federal lawsuit.
“I applaud Attorney General Pam Bondi for taking this step and call on Governor Hochul to repeal her Sanctuary State order immediately,” Lawler said. “Local and state law enforcement should be allowed to work with ICE to deport criminals. Full stop.”
