U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi attends a press conference at the Department of Justice Building on February 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. During the event, she announced charges against New York for failing to comply with federal immigration laws. Bondi was accompanied by Tammy Nobles (L), whose 20-year-old daughter was killed by an immigrant from El Salvador, reportedly affiliated with the MS-13 gang. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory 5:13 PM – Wednesday, February 12, 2025
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is taking aim at New York Governor Kathy Hochul, state Attorney General Letitia James, and DMV chief Mark Schroeder in a new lawsuit initiated by the Justice Department against New York State, citing their alleged efforts to limit collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
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“This is a new DOJ,” Bondi stated on Wednesday. “New York has opted to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. This ends today.”
“As you are aware, we filed a lawsuit against Illinois,” Bondi added. “New York has ignored our warnings. Now it’s your turn.”
🚨 Pam Bondi reveals that legal action has been taken against New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and AG Letitia James for neglecting to enforce immigration laws:
“NY has decided to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. This will end today.” pic.twitter.com/mqzU76rZoQ
The Justice Department argued that state and local officials are “obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws” and discriminating against federal immigration enforcement efforts, prompting them to seek a federal judge’s immediate action to invalidate sanctuary policies in Illinois and Chicago.
On her first day in office, Bondi imposed a 60-day suspension on all DOJ funding to “sanctuary jurisdictions,” which primarily affected Democrat-led states from California to New York.
The Center for Immigration Services, a conservative research organization, estimated that law enforcement grants to New York City alone reached $1.56 billion in 2023.
Municipal statistics indicated that the Justice Department was projected to allocate approximately $8 billion to city agencies in the fiscal year 2025.
Nonetheless, Bondi directed her department to “refrain from entering into any new contracts, grants, or agreements to provide federal funding to non-governmental organizations that assist or provide services to removable or illegal aliens, either directly or indirectly (e.g., through subcontracting or other arrangements).”
These actions coincide with efforts led by border czar Tom Homan to expedite the removal of illegal immigrants across the country, successfully deporting 11,000 individuals identified for their criminal records.
While some deported individuals were taken to the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, others were returned to their native countries, including Venezuela, Haiti, and Colombia, the latter of which agreed to avoid heavy tariffs previously threatened by President Trump. Many additional deportations are expected throughout the year as Trump continues to emphasize the “America First” agenda.
In an executive order enacted on her first day, Trump authorized Bondi to assess sanctuary practices at both state and local levels, revoke federal funds, and impose civil or criminal penalties on those unwilling to cooperate with immigration authorities.
The newly appointed GOP AG was also entrusted with retrieving federal funds deemed “in violation of the law or sources of waste, fraud, or abuse,” collaborating closely with the new Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
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