In a high-profile press conference on Wednesday, February 12, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had filed charges against the state of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and New York DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder. Bondi accused these officials of failing to enforce federal immigration laws, specifically targeting New York’s controversial “Green Light” law, which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
During the press conference, Bondi made it clear that the “new DOJ” under her leadership would take decisive action against states that, in her view, undermine federal immigration enforcement. She emphasized that her office is committed to protecting American citizens from the negative consequences of illegal immigration, including crime and public safety threats. “We’re here today because we have filed charges against the state of New York. We have filed charges against Kathy Hochul. We have filed charges against Letitia James and Mark Schroeder, who is with DMV,” Bondi declared.
The lawsuit signals a broader shift in the DOJ’s approach to immigration enforcement, with Bondi vowing to crack down on states that prioritize undocumented immigrants over American citizens. “This is a new DOJ, and we are taking steps to protect Americans, American citizens, and angel moms,” she said. “New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops today. We sued Illinois. New York did not listen. Now you’re next.”
At the center of the controversy is New York’s “Green Light” law, which was passed in 2019. This law allows all residents of New York, regardless of their immigration status, to apply for a standard driver’s license or learner’s permit. Supporters argue that the policy improves public safety by ensuring that all drivers are licensed and insured. However, critics, including Bondi, claim that it undermines federal immigration enforcement and could facilitate identity fraud.
Bondi strongly condemned the law, framing it as a direct threat to national security and public safety. “Violent criminals, gang members, drug traffickers, and human smugglers will no longer terrorize the American people, and that is why we are here today,” she stated. Her remarks echo the broader stance of the DOJ under her leadership, which has focused on aggressively targeting states and cities that adopt policies seen as protecting undocumented immigrants from federal law enforcement.
Despite the strong rhetoric, Bondi insisted that legal action is not the DOJ’s preferred course of action. “We don’t want to sue you. We don’t want to prosecute people. We want people to comply with the law,” she explained. However, she made it clear that if states continue to defy federal immigration policies, her department will not hesitate to take legal measures. She pointed to Illinois as an example, noting that her DOJ had previously sued that state for similar policies and is now turning its attention to New York after officials failed to change course.
This lawsuit is part of a broader crackdown on what Bondi describes as “pro-illegal immigration” jurisdictions. Since assuming office, she has implemented policies to cut federal funding to states and local governments that interfere with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Under her directives, state and local jurisdictions must fully comply with immigration-related federal laws, and officials are prohibited from obstructing lawful immigration enforcement actions. As the legal battle unfolds, the case against New York is expected to spark fierce political and legal debates about the limits of state authority in immigration policy.