A clash between the Trump administration and several blue states is brewing over sanctuary city policies, with constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley foreseeing a "ferocious" legal battle. Turley's comments on "America’s Newsroom" followed Attorney General Pam Bondi's announcement of freezing federal funds for sanctuary cities and suing New York over its sanctuary policies.
Turley believes the federal government has a solid legal footing, especially concerning a provision in the law regarding notification of suspected illegal aliens. New York's practice of alerting individuals when federal inquiries are made allows them to evade apprehension, which Turley argues constitutes obstruction of federal enforcement, not simply a refusal to cooperate.
However, states like New York and Illinois could counter by invoking the anti-commandeering doctrine, which prevents the federal government from compelling states to implement federal policies. This creates a legal gray area, as these states are actively hindering federal enforcement while claiming they are not obligated to assist. The central question becomes whether their actions constitute obstruction or simply exercising states' rights.
The lawsuit against New York, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James alleges non-compliance with federal law by protecting undocumented immigrants. Bondi specifically cited New York's Green Light law, which enables undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses and restricts federal access to state driver's license data. The Justice Department has also targeted Illinois and Chicago for similar sanctuary policies.
Bondi emphasized the administration's stance, urging compliance with federal law and warning non-compliant states that they are next in line for legal action. She stressed the Justice Department's renewed focus on enforcing immigration laws.
Turley highlighted the administration's proactive approach, aiming to establish clear legal precedents early on. He noted their aggressive legal strategy, essentially inviting legal challenges to solidify their position on key issues. Bondi reiterated the administration's preference for compliance over litigation, but firmly stated that New York's prioritization of undocumented immigrants over citizens must end.
