The Justice Department has filed a federal lawsuit against New York City, targeting its sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities. The move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on jurisdictions that, in his administration’s view, obstruct federal efforts to deport criminal illegal immigrants.
Filed in a New York federal court, the lawsuit names Mayor Eric Adams and several city officials as defendants. It accuses the city of enacting laws “intended to thwart” federal immigration enforcement and failing to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when illegal immigrants charged with crimes are released from custody.
City Hall Defends Policies but Acknowledges Concerns
Mayor Adams’ press secretary, Kayla Mamelak Altus, defended the city’s approach, saying the mayor’s priority has always been to keep New Yorkers safe — and to ensure they feel safe.
“No one should be afraid to call 911, send their kids to school, or go to the hospital,” Altus told Fox News Digital. “That’s why the mayor supports the spirit of sanctuary laws passed by the City Council — but he has also expressed concern about their reach, especially when it comes to repeat violent offenders. He’s urged the Council to revisit these laws so that we can better cooperate with the federal government. So far, the Council has refused. We will review the lawsuit.”
DOJ: NYC’s Long History of Sanctuary Status Undermines Federal Law
The lawsuit highlights New York City’s sanctuary status, which dates back to 1989. It points specifically to policies preventing the Department of Correction and the NYPD from honoring ICE detainers — official requests to be notified when a criminal non-citizen is being released from jail.
In 2014, the city further tightened restrictions, stating ICE detainers would only be honored if accompanied by a judge’s warrant and if the individual had committed a violent or serious crime within the last five years or appeared on a terrorism watch list.
Trump Administration Slams “Criminal Sanctuaries”
“Sanctuary cities are only sanctuaries for criminals,” said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson. “President Trump promised to Make America Safe Again and deport criminal illegal aliens. New York City’s refusal to cooperate is not only dangerous, it’s a direct challenge to the will of the American people. The Trump Administration will not allow this.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed those remarks, saying, “If New York’s leaders won’t step up to protect their citizens, we will.”
Critics Say Sanctuary Laws Carry ‘Human Cost’
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) praised the lawsuit and called the city’s sanctuary policies “misguided” and “dangerous.”
“Restoring public safety starts with New York City cooperating with ICE,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Failing to do so keeps violent criminals on our streets.”
Malliotakis also revealed she had obtained documents through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that showed more than 16,000 crimes were committed by individuals housed in taxpayer-funded hotels and shelters.
Legal Battle Expands Beyond NYC
The New York City lawsuit comes just weeks after the Justice Department filed a similar case against Los Angeles. That city, too, has been accused of obstructing federal immigration enforcement, particularly during deportation raids and anti-ICE demonstrations.
As President Trump pushes forward with his promise to restore law and order and prioritize the safety of American citizens, the legal pressure on sanctuary cities is clearly intensifying — and New York is now squarely in the crosshairs.
