Trump administration sues NYC over "sanctuary city" policies
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams on July 10. Photo: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Trump administration is suing New York City and Mayor Eric Adams (D) over its "sanctuary city" policies, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday.
The big picture: As part of his immigration crackdown, President Trump signed an executive order in April targeting sanctuary cities that don't comply with his agenda.
- Trump at the time directed Bondi and the Department Homeland Security to identify cities and states that don't sufficiently comply with federal immigration laws, and the White House threatened them with federal funding cuts.
- He has since also ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to "expand efforts to detain and deport" undocumented immigrants in Democratic-run cities.
Driving the news: Bondi said in a post on X that the Justice Department is suing the city and the mayor "for continuing to obstruct law enforcement with sanctuary city policies."
- She added, "If New York's leaders won't step up to protect their citizens, we will."
Zoom in: The DOJ alleged in the suit that the city's immigration policies deter the administration's ability to enforce the law and violate the Constitution's supremacy clause.
- "New York City has long been at the vanguard of interfering with enforcing this country's immigration laws," the DOJ claimed in the suit. "Its history as a sanctuary city dates back to 1989, and its efforts to thwart federal immigration enforcement have only intensified since."
What they're saying: Kayla Mamelak Altus, a spokesperson for the mayor's office, said in an emailed statement Thursday that Adams "supports the essence of the local laws put in place by the City Council."
- But, she added, "he has also been clear they go too far when it comes to dealing with those violent criminals on our streets and has urged the Council to reexamine them to ensure we can effectively work with the federal government to make our city safer."
- The city council has so far refused, she said, adding that the mayor's office will review the lawsuit.
Zoom out: The Justice Department under Trump previously sued New York state officials for policies that allegedly limit cooperation with immigration authorities.
Flashback: A federal judge dismissed the criminal corruption case against Adams earlier this year, after the mayor aligned himself with the White House.
- Adams and Trump have met at least twice this year, including once in January as the mayor was seeking a pardon and another instance in May after charges against him were dropped.
- During a podcast interview on Wednesday, Adams praised the Trump administration of securing the southern border and bringing "a real relief" for the city.
More from Axios:
- Trump orders ICE to step up deportation efforts in Democrat-run cities
- Republicans lead sanctuary city probe targeting Democratic mayors
- Trump administration sues New York officials over "sanctuary" policies
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Kayla Mamelak Altus, a spokesperson for the NYC mayor's office.<br/>
