The Justice Department on Thursday filed a lawsuit against New York over a Democrat-backed state law that prohibits federal immigration agents from arresting individuals at or near courthouses — a state law the Trump administration says blatantly obstructs immigration enforcement.
“Lawless sanctuary policies are driving the chaos we’re seeing in California right now,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X, referencing the recent days of riots in Los Angeles in response to federal immigration enforcement. “We refuse to accept such blatant disregard for law and order anywhere in America.”
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Today @TheJusticeDept filed a new lawsuit against the state of New York for undermining immigration enforcement.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) June 12, 2025
Lawless sanctuary policies are driving the chaos we’re seeing in California right now. We refuse to accept such blatant disregard for law and order anywhere in…
The complaint, filed in federal court in Albany, seeks to invalidate the Protect Our Courts Act and two related executive orders from the governor that the DOJ argues unlawfully interfere with federal authority.
Passed in 2020 during President Donald Trump’s first term, the law prohibits civil immigration arrests while individuals attend or are traveling to and from court proceedings in New York. The two executive orders signed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo further restrict ICE activity in state facilities and bar local employees from sharing key information with federal authorities.
“These laws pose intolerable obstacles to federal immigration enforcement and directly regulate and discriminate against the Federal Government,” the 17-page complaint states, arguing the policies violate the Constitution’s supremacy clause.
Trump officials have long criticized such measures as “sanctuary” policies, accusing Democratic-led states of shielding illegal immigrants from lawful deportation. Bondi said New York is repeating “dangerous” tactics used by California, where federal agents have struggled to carry out arrests amid growing restrictions on cooperation.
A spokesperson for Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James said the state would fight the lawsuit.
“The Protect Our Courts Act ensures every New Yorker can access our courts and pursue justice without fear,” the spokesperson said. “Attorney General James will proudly defend this law and all of New York’s laws, just as she will continue to defend the rights and dignity of all who call New York home.”
The lawsuit was filed the same day Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul testified before Congress on New York’s sanctuary policies. DOJ officials timed the suit to highlight what they say is growing resistance by states to federal immigration efforts amid escalating illegal crossings.
Courthouse arrests have become a key flashpoint in Trump’s immigration crackdown. ICE has long preferred courthouses as a venue to arrest targets, citing enhanced safety conditions and a greater likelihood of compliance, since individuals are screened upon entry.
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The DOJ previously sued New York in February over a separate law limiting cooperation with ICE, which remains pending. Similar lawsuits have been filed against Illinois, Colorado, and several cities, including Chicago, Denver, and Newark.
The DOJ says this latest legal challenge is part of its broader campaign to dismantle unlawful sanctuary policies that “endanger communities by eliminating safe places for law enforcement officers to act.”