The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against New York City challenging its sanctuary city laws.
It comes less than a week after a Customs and Border Patrol officer was shot in Manhattan by an undocumented immigrant.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan were furious after the off-duty officer was shot. Homan promised to “flood the zone” with immigration agents to go after undocumented immigrants, especially those with a history of violence.
“Sanctuary cities are sanctuaries for criminals, hard stop,” Homan said.
Sanctuary city laws in focus
Homan expressed his irritation with sanctuary cities, especially New York, at the White House on Thursday, just hours before the Justice Department sued Mayor Eric Adams, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and others for making it more difficult for immigration agents to arrest undocumented immigrants who commit crimes.
“The challenged provisions of New York City law reflect the City’s intentional effort to obstruct the United States’ enforcement of federal immigration law, by (among much else) impeding the consultation and communication between federal and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for the United States to enforce the law and keep Americans safe,” the lawsuit claims.
“New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “If New York City won’t stand up for the safety of its citizens, we will.”
Federal officials have been particularly upset that the City Council went to court to stop an executive order issued by the Adams administration to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to work on Rikers Island, where they could identify undocumented persons who may be in the country illegally and have committed crimes.
“We’re going to flood the zones”
“I made a statement the other day about New York. We’re going to flood the zones. The sanctuary cities are going to get exactly what they don’t want, more agents in the communities and more worksite enforcement. Why is that? Because they won’t let one agent arrest one bad guy to jail. They’re going to release a public safety threat back in the community. Now, I got to send the whole team to go find that person. So you know, we’re going to find a bad guy whether they help us or not,” Homan said.
A City Hall spokesperson said that while Mayor Adams supports the essence of the sanctuary laws, he feels they go too far when dealing with violent criminals. Adams called on the City Council to re-examine its position so city officials can work more effectively with the feds to make the city safe.
The DOJ action was applauded not only by Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, but by the City Council’s Common Sense Caucus.
More from CBS News