ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a legal challenge from the Trump administration regarding New York's policies that block federal immigration arrests in state courthouses. U.S. District Judge Mae D'Agostino ruled that the federal government cannot compel states to cooperate with immigration enforcement efforts.
On Monday, Judge D'Agostino ruled in favor of New York's motion to dismiss the federal lawsuit, which targeted the Protect Our Courts Act—an enacted law that forbids immigration officials from arresting individuals without a warrant while they are entering or attending court.
This law was established in response to federal enforcement actions that occurred in courthouses when Donald Trump was in office. The lawsuit argued that New York's legislation was unconstitutional for obstructing federal enforcement, a claim the judge ruled invalid, referencing the Tenth Amendment's protection against federal overreach.
Judge D'Agostino remarked, The United States fails to identify any federal law mandating that state and local officials generally assist or cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts. No such federal laws exist because the Tenth Amendment prohibits Congress from conscripting state and local officials to assist in federal initiatives like immigration enforcement.
New York's Attorney General Letitia James, who had argued for the dismissal, emphasized the ruling's importance for protecting the dignity and rights of immigrant communities. This ruling ensures that anyone can use New York's state courts without being targeted by federal authorities, James stated.
The Justice Department has not made a comment regarding the ruling or its plans for appeal. This case reflects ongoing tensions between federal immigration policies and state-level protections for vulnerable populations.
