US Sues New York City Over ‘Sanctuary’ Jurisdiction Laws

WASHINGTON—The U.S. government has commenced a civil lawsuit against the city of New York and its mayor, Eric Adams, calling for the overturning of city bylaws that make the jurisdiction a “sanctuary” for foreign nationals against immigration enforcement. President Donald Trump has made ending illegal immigration a priority of his administration. During the 2024 presidential election, he repeatedly vowed to “ban” the practice of states and municipalities refusing to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in identifying, detaining, and removing illegal immigrants. New York City, with a sizeable left-wing electorate, has long opposed removal operations against foreign nationals who have not committed another crime since illegal entry or overstaying their status. The city, as well as the state of New York, has codified such policies into its Administrative Code and police operations, which prevent the New York Police Department (NYPD) from cooperating with ICE on removal matters—which the federal government now seeks to overturn for alleged unconstitutionality....