New York Attorney General Letitia James filed two lawsuits Tuesday targeting policies by former President Donald Trump’s administration. She joined 19 other state attorneys general in challenging what they describe as an unlawful attempt to pressure states into enforcing federal immigration laws by threatening to withhold critical funding.
The first lawsuit accuses the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Secretary Kristi Noem of using emergency preparedness funds as leverage, claiming states risk losing disaster relief money unless they cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The second lawsuit takes aim at the Department of Transportation (DOT), alleging it’s unconstitutional to tie public safety funding to immigration policy compliance.
“DHS is holding states hostage by forcing them to choose between disaster preparedness and enabling the administration’s illegal and chaotic immigration agenda,” James said. “This funding is crucial for keeping New Yorkers safe during hurricanes, floods, and other emergencies. The federal government cannot weaponize disaster aid to push a political agenda.”
According to the lawsuit, states face a no-win situation: either they lose millions in federal funding — money they rely on for emergency response — or they compromise their local law enforcement by redirecting resources to federal immigration duties.
In response, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital, “Cities and states that break the law and prevent us from arresting criminal illegal aliens should not receive federal funding. The President has been clear. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, we’re enforcing immigration law and removing criminals from communities. Radical sanctuary politicians need to prioritize American safety, not shield illegal aliens.”
The DOT lawsuit similarly argues that the department’s funding conditions threaten billions in federal dollars for essential infrastructure and public safety projects — such as traffic safety, train collision prevention, and airport security.
The Department of Transportation has not commented on the lawsuit.
These lawsuits come amid a sweeping immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. Since taking office, Trump’s team has deported more than 130,000 undocumented immigrants. Border apprehensions have also sharply dropped — by 93% compared to last year — according to data released Monday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
CBP reports an average of just 279 border apprehensions per day in April, compared to over 4,200 per day in April 2024. This year’s monthly total was 8,383, a significant drop from 129,000 the year before.
CBP also noted that only five undocumented immigrants were released into the U.S. in April, compared to 68,000 during the same month last year.
“For the first time in years, more agents are back in the field patrolling areas we couldn’t cover just six months ago,” said acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores. “Thanks to this administration’s tough stance on border security, we’re gaining real control of the border — and this is just the beginning.”
