Latest news with #GreenLightLaw
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal funds to Los Angeles, sanctuary cities blocking ICE on chopping block in new House GOP bill
FIRST ON FOX: A new House GOP bill would see sanctuary cities like Los Angeles lose their federal funds if they refuse to comply with federal immigration authorities. "I mean, we've had far too many instances where we have seen someone lose their lives at the hands of someone that's in this country illegally," Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital. "These sanctuary cities have gone out of their way to ignore federal law for far too long. And it's time that we get serious and we put teeth to things." Rioters Smash Windows At Lapd Headquarters As Anti-ice Agitators Clash With Authorities He's introducing the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act on Tuesday, Fox News Digital is first learning, which has a Senate companion bill introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The bill would allow the executive branch to withhold federal funds from states, cities, or other localities that refuse to comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Read On The Fox News App On a more granular level, it would also empower state and local officers to work with federal authorities, even if the laws within their operating jurisdictions mandate otherwise. California Lt. Governor Says Los Angeles Riots Are 'Generated By Donald Trump' Langworthy said that provision is critical to officers in his Buffalo-anchored district. New York's Green Light Law, he explained, both allowed illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses and prevented sharing state DMV records with federal authorities. "That really got my attention when I met with ICE at the beginning of the year, and I met with Customs and Border Patrol agents in Buffalo during the Biden administration. They said that this is the largest impediment they have to do their jobs," Langworthy said. For a traffic stop, he said, "They think they know who's in the car, but they can't run the tags because they're New York tags, and they're taking their lives into their own hands on every single apprehension request." The push to defund sanctuary jurisdictions comes after a weekend of violence on the other side of the country, where rioters in Los Angeles clashed with federal authorities over ICE raids in the blue stronghold city. Democratic officials have criticized President Donald Trump for sending the National Guard in over the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom, while Republicans have blasted those progressive leaders for doing little to help federal authorities amid the protests. Langworthy said he hoped the violence would stay in Los Angeles, and that political tensions would not make their way to liberal New York City. "I think the president setting the tone very early on, this will not be tolerated. We will federalize the National Guard and maintain law and order in the streets of our country," he said. "Hopefully that is heard loud and clear across the country by anyone that looks to bring unrest to our streets and disrupt civil society."Original article source: Federal funds to Los Angeles, sanctuary cities blocking ICE on chopping block in new House GOP bill
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC lawmakers of both parties urge Trump admin to step in, tackle sanctuary laws
A bipartisan group of City Council members is urging Trump's Department of Justice to step in to overrule the Big Apple's sanctuary city laws, The Post has learned. 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.
New York Post
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC lawmakers of both parties urge Trump admin to step in, tackle sanctuary laws
A bipartisan group of City Council members is urging Trump's Department of Justice to step in to overrule the Big Apple's sanctuary city laws, The Post has learned. 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.' 3 Attorney General Pam Bondi is being urged to expand her legal action against New York to include NYC. Getty Images 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. 3 David Carr (R-Staten Island) led the charge on the legal action. Paul Martinka 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.' 3 The Council Minority leader Joann Ariola believes the current federal administration will help overturn the laws. Michael Nagle 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.
Epoch Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Trump Signs Order to Strengthen Law Enforcement
President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to take steps toward bolstering law enforcement resources and ensuring officers don't focus on equity policies. 'When local leaders demonize law enforcement and impose legal and political handcuffs that make aggressively enforcing the law impossible, crime thrives and innocent citizens and small business owners suffer,' Trump said in an 'My Administration will therefore: establish best practices at the State and local level for cities to unleash high-impact local police forces; protect and defend law enforcement officers wrongly accused and abused by State or local officials; and surge resources to officers in need.' Part of his order targets 'illegal race- and sex- based 'equity' policies' and directs the attorney general to 'take all appropriate action to create a mechanism to provide legal resources and indemnification to law enforcement officers who unjustly incur expenses and liabilities for actions taken during the performance of their official duties to enforce the law.' Trump's order also seeks to boost law enforcement resources by directing the eventual provision of excess military and national security assets to assist authorities. Under the order, the attorney general is directed to maximize the use of federal resources for a variety of purposes, including increasing officers' pay and benefits, promoting investment in prison security, and expanding access to training available to state and local law enforcement. Another aspect of the order sought to hold state and local officials accountable for directing the obstruction of criminal law and unlawfully engaging in civil rights violations 'under the guise of 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' initiatives.' Related Stories 4/28/2025 4/24/2025 The presidential order came on the same day that Trump signed two others, including The order followed actions taken by the Justice Department in response to local officials allegedly acting contrary to federal immigration enforcement. Last week, the department A similar lawsuit filed in February targeted state officials over New York's Green Light Law, which allows noncitizens to apply for driver's licenses and prevents the Department of Motor Vehicles from sharing information with immigration enforcement. On April 25, the Justice Department also Judge Hannah Dugan's attorney Trump has encountered a wave of lawsuits in recent months, including some over his targeting of sanctuary jurisdictions and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. On the same day as the lawsuit, a federal judge U.S. District Judge William Orrick stated in an
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Andrew Cuomo repeatedly deflects blame, defends record while offering no apology for controversial COVID policies in often testy, 2-hour Post interview
He's taking Cuo-no responsibility. Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo repeatedly deflected blame and stubbornly refused to admit mistakes on his lengthy record during an often testy two-hour Post editorial meeting Monday, as he mounts a comeback bid for New York City's mayor. Cuomo claimed it was left-wing, 'antisemitic' Democratic Socialists of America pols who were the true architects of the lenient criminal justice laws he signed — and of the woes facing New York and beyond, generally. Even when Cuomo couldn't shift the onus – such as the COVID-19 pandemic's worst days, when he was governor – he still didn't admit fault. He defended the much-criticized March 25, 2020, directive issued by his health department requiring nursing homes to accept recovering coronavirus patients discharged from hospitals – a quickly rescinded policy that critics argue fanned the spread and death toll of frail, elderly immunocompromised residents. Not only that, Cuomo — who brought along a slideshow presentation reminiscent of his daily pandemic-era briefings — continued to deny any link. 'You want the state to say, 'we killed people' and that's not true,' Cuomo insisted during one spirited exchange when he was asked why he wouldn't own up to the mistake. When Cuomo did fess up, he mostly did so in retrospect – such as conceding that relaxing lockdown rules and school closures could have been done sooner. And so it went. Cuomo defended his approval of the cashless bail law in 2019 that was approved by fellow Democrats in the state legislature, insinuating the pernicious influence of the far-left DSA lawmakers had tied his hands. 'A governor is not a dictator,' he said, deflecting responsibility. 'You do the best you can when you can … given the finances, given the political environment, given what you can get done with the legislative.' At one point, he even insisted he was not 'a timid flower.' Elsewhere, he defended his sanctuary city and state policies. Cuomo signed the Green Light Law allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licences and proudly recalled blocking the last Trump administration from getting access to the state Department of Motor Vehicles data. 'We wouldn't give them the database … I said, 'We'll work together, but I can't give you the whole database of people who did nothing,'' he recalled telling President Trump during his previous term. He also attributed the politicized environment of the pandemic for saying Americans should be skeptical of the COVID vaccine pushed by the Trump admin. Cuomo dismissed as 'cruel' and 'bizarre' any accusations that he steered recovering COVID-19 patients into nursing homes at the behest of politically influential hospital executives who were worried about being overrun with patients stricken with the deadly virus. The pugnacious former governor also denied that he deliberately undercounted the number of nursing home residents who died from COVID, while he was writing a $5 million profit-making book about his handling of the pandemic. Reports by both the state attorney general and comptroller concluded he low-balled the number of deaths. 'If you produced incorrect information that you submitted to the federal government, that is a felony and the simplest felony to prosecute,' Cuomo said, referring to a Justice Department probe under Trump. He also defended writing the book, claiming it was 'ludicrous' and 'really offensive' for critics to claim he was manipulating policy to make a profit and cashing in on the back of people who died of COVID. 'I thought there was a benefit to saying, 'We went first. We went worst. Let us tell you what we know,'' Cuomo said. 'I thought it would be of assistance. 'Don't make the mistakes we made and learn the lessons we learned.'' But he claimed not to remember, under questioning by The Post, one of his administration's most mocked autocratic pandemic rules — requiring cash-strapped bars to sell food with drinks. Some pubs dubbed the mandated snacks 'Cuomo Chips,' even as state regulators said noshing did not meet the food requirement during social distancing. 'I don't even remember that one. What was that one again? That was not my idea,' Cuomo said with a chuckle, claiming experts advised him on strange memory lapse wasn't Cuomo's only bizarre stumble. He referred to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is also running for mayor, as the 'speaker of the Assembly. He also mixed up the NYPD and MTA police. And at certain points he appeared to have difficulty hearing people at the end of a conference room table. Cuomo quickly corrected himself on the mixup of the police forces. Meanwhile, he also defended his green energy policies that critics have slammed as unworkable. Cuomo pushed Entergy's Indian Point nuclear power plant in Westchester — which provided energy to New York City utilities — to shut down, while banning fracking for natural gas. He also approved the The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The law requires New York to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and no less than 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. But reps from the auto industry — which is required to ramp up sales of electric vehicles — said the targets are a pipedream. 'If you can't meet the goal on 2030, what happens? You just violate the goal,' he said.
