NYC lawmakers of both parties urge Trump admin to step in, tackle sanctuary laws
The council's Common Sense Caucus penned a letter to US Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday asking to take legal action against New York City for its policies on illegal immigrants that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and the federal government.
'We understand the Department of Justice (DOJ), under your direction, is already suing the state of New York for violating federal statutes by impeding communication between state and federal authorities on immigration enforcement,' the caucus wrote in the letter obtained by The Post.
'We ask the DOJ to expand this legal action to include New York City's so-called 'sanctuary city laws,' which shield criminal aliens from federal immigration authorities, place the public at risk and severely undermine efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and our own law enforcement agencies to coordinate on issues of national security.'
The DOJ filed a federal suit against the Empire State in February targeting the 2019 'Green Light Law,' which allows illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses and bars the feds from accessing any of the state DMV data.
'Our Constitution specifically grants the federal government the power to establish laws to protect our borders and regulate immigration, and New York City cannot willfully ignore these laws,' said David Carr (R-Staten Island), who led the effort.
'I believe the courts would side with the Department of Justice in a lawsuit to compel local authorities to comply with federal law enforcement agencies like ICE, and AG Bondi is the right person to lead this effort.'
The city started rolling out its pro-immigrant policies in 2011, when it enacted a ban on detainer requests from ICE unless they come with a judicial warrant and the person had been convicted of serious crimes within the prior five years.
Over the next few years, five more laws were put on the books restricting the coordination between the New York City Police Department and the city's Department of Correction.
The group of lawmakers, who have repeatedly tried to roll back the laws, claims the 'reckless, ill-conceived policies' are a threat to New Yorkers.
'These so-called 'sanctuary city' laws are only giving sanctuary to dangerous criminals who prey on New Yorkers,' said Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola (Queens). 'That's why we've been fighting for years to repeal them. Now that we have a President and a federal administration that actually prioritizes the safety of Americans, we are hoping that can finally happen.'
Trump-friendly Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly stood by the laws, arguing that they actually make the city safer.
'We tell you, if you are a victim of a crime, call the police and report it. We tell you that if you need medical attention, go to the hospital and get that medical attention,' the Dem mayor said during a radio appearance last month.
The DOJ did not respond for comment.
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