Latest news with #GreenLightLaw
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Hochul grilled by lawmakers on illegal immigration, sanctuary cities
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WIVB) — Governor Kathy Hochul appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Thursday and was pressed on the issues of illegal immigration, deportations, and sanctuary cities in New York. In her opening statement, Hochul condemned the military use in Los Angeles, a move by the Trump Administration in response to political unrest, protesting the enforcement efforts underway by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 'As we speak, the streets of an American City have been militarized over the objections of the governor,' Hochul said. 'This is nothing short of a flagrant abuse of power, an assault on our American values.' Hochul then went on to say that her administration has a history of cooperating with ICE. 'Since I became governor, we've cooperated in handing over more than 1,300 convicted criminals to ICE,' Hochul said. 'What we don't do is enforce civil immigration violations – that's the federal government's job. New Yorkers need their state troopers seizing guns and drugs, and patrolling highways. States like mine are doing our part, but we can't be expected to fix this nation's broken immigration system.' During the course of the hearing, Hochul was pressed by several lawmakers that comprise the committee, including Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who represents New York's 21st congressional district. Stefanik laid out multiple examples of illegal immigrants committing heinous crimes across the state as a back and forth ensued between her and Hochul who insisted that her administration cooperated in all of those cases. 'We deserve a governor who stands up for law abiding New Yorkers, doesn't put illegals first, but actually puts New Yorkers first,' Stefanik said to Hochul. 'Rather than going after the viral moment, I suggest you look at the facts,' Hochul said. 'I'm standing up for New Yorkers!' Stefanik said. 'Rather than addressing the illegals in New York, you're prioritizing your far-left, sanctuary state policies which you put in place with executive orders.' 'We cooperate in all of those cases,' Hochul said. 'We cooperate with ICE.' Congressman Nick Langworthy brought up the Green Light Law, which allows New Yorkers over the age of 16 to apply for a license or learner's permit regardless of their immigration status. 'Gov. Hochul, you took an oath to serve the citizens of New York, and you've allowed violent criminals who came here illegally to hide in plain sight and to avoid federal officials because of your support for the Green Light Law,' Langworthy said. 'This is an abomination. This is not keeping New Yorkers safe.' Congressman Jim Jordan, Republican from Ohio, questioned Hochul on her statement that her administration has cooperated with federal authorities on the issue. He cited examples of illegal immigrants committing violent crimes, and then being let out before they have a chance to be deported, which Hochul said is not the policy of state prisons. 'That is sanctuary policy in a nutshell,' Jordan said. 'That is what your state supports and so do these other governors. That is what is so wrong and why the American people hate this concept.' 'You're conflating what the state of New York does,' Hochul said in response. 'I control state police and prisons.' Hochul was joined alongside two other governors for the hearing, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. You can watch the full hearing here. Rob Petree is an anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of his work by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- 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
