Trump administration sues New York over sanctuary city policies

The Trump administration sued New York City on Thursday over its “sanctuary” laws, continuing a monthslong effort to crack down on localities that try to shield undocumented immigrants from federal detainment efforts.“New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies.

The Trump administration sued New York City on Thursday over its “sanctuary” laws, continuing a monthslong effort to crack down on localities that try to shield undocumented immigrants from federal detainment efforts.

“New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies. If New York City won’t stand up for the safety of its citizens, we will," Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

Included in Trump’s effort to drastically reduce the flow of unlawful immigration into the United States has been a concerted effort by his administration to crack down on so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, described as states, cities, counties or municipalities that enact laws that effectively prevent local officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

The administration alleged New York's sanctuary city policies “impede the Federal Government’s ability to enforce the federal immigration laws” and “violate the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution.”

“New York City has long been at the vanguard of interfering with enforcing this country’s immigration laws. Its history as a sanctuary city dates back to 1989, and its efforts to thwart federal immigration enforcement have only intensified since,” the complaint reads.