Attorney General Pam Bondi isn’t wasting any time. Just a week after her confirmation, she has already filed charges against the State of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder—marking the second major lawsuit against a blue state for failing to comply with federal immigration law.
Standing before reporters on Wednesday, Bondi made it clear that the Trump administration is done playing games with sanctuary policies that prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens.
“We’re here today because we have filed charges against the State of New York, we have filed charges against Kathy Hochul, we have filed charges against Letitia James and Mark Schroeder who is with DMV,” Bondi declared. “This is a new DOJ, and we are taking steps to protect Americans, American citizens, and Angel Moms, like the mom standing right behind me here, who you’re going to hear from in a moment. New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops—it stops today.”
BREAKING: @AGPamBondi announces the DOJ has filed charges against the State of New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul, AG Letitia James, and DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder.
“New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops — it stops TODAY.” pic.twitter.com/YkKAPTdtyX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 12, 2025
The charges stem from New York’s defiance of federal immigration law, particularly its “Green Light Law,” which allows illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses while blocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from accessing state DMV records. That law, which has been in place since 2019, has hampered ICE operations, making it harder for federal agents to track down and deport criminals who are in the country illegally.
Bondi made it crystal clear that this is just the beginning.
“President Trump has directed this to stop. And if you don’t comply with federal law, we will hold you accountable,” she said. “We did it to Illinois—strike one. Strike two is New York. And if you are a state not complying with federal law, you’re next. Get ready.”
That warning should send shivers down the spines of California’s lawmakers, who have already earmarked taxpayer funds to shelter illegal aliens. Given that California has the highest number of illegal immigrants of any state, it seems ripe for a similar legal challenge.
“President Trump has directed this to STOP,” says @AGPamBondi after announcing action to hold New York and its officials accountable for violating federal immigration law.
“If you are a state not complying with federal law, you’re next. Get ready.” pic.twitter.com/t0CO9tHrxN
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 12, 2025
Bondi’s aggressive action aligns perfectly with Trump’s campaign promise to crack down on illegal immigration and hold state leaders accountable if they attempt to obstruct federal law. Border Czar Tom “The Hammer” Homan has been vocal about pursuing legal action against cities and states that stand in the way of federal immigration enforcement, and now, under Bondi’s DOJ, those threats are turning into real consequences.
For years, Democrats insisted that immigration was a federal issue, lambasting states like Texas and Florida when they took border enforcement into their own hands. But now that the Trump administration is enforcing federal law, suddenly, blue states are scrambling to claim states’ rights.
That argument isn’t going to fly. The federal government sets immigration law, and as Bondi made clear, sanctuary states and cities that defy it will face legal consequences.
