New York's top prosecutor leads a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in a legal battle against the federal government's attempt to leverage emergency funding for immigration compliance.
According to Fox News, Attorney General Letitia James filed two separate lawsuits against President Donald Trump's administration, targeting the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Transportation over their alleged attempts to withhold crucial funding from states that don't cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
The legal actions specifically challenge DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's authority to withhold emergency preparedness funding and contest the Department of Transportation's conditions for receiving infrastructure grants. James argues that these measures essentially force states to choose between vital public safety funding and maintaining their existing law enforcement practices.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin strongly defended the administration's position, emphasizing their commitment to removing criminal illegal aliens from American communities. The Department maintains that cities and states violating federal immigration law should not receive federal funding.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy characterized the requirements as "common-sense values" that reflect American priorities. He clarified that no funding has been withheld yet but emphasized that grant recipients must comply with federal laws to receive funding.
The Trump administration's stance represents a significant shift in immigration enforcement strategy, with border apprehensions showing a dramatic 93% decrease since Trump's inauguration.
James argues in the DHS lawsuit that the funding restrictions present states with an impossible choice. She emphasized the critical nature of these funds for New York's disaster preparedness efforts.
According to James' statement:
DHS is holding states hostage by forcing them to choose between disaster preparedness and enabling the administration's illegal and chaotic immigration agenda. This funding is vital to keeping New Yorkers safe during hurricanes, floods, and other catastrophes. The federal government cannot weaponize disaster relief to coerce states into abandoning public safety and community trust.
The Department of Transportation lawsuit specifically addresses billions in federal funding for critical transportation safety projects, including measures to prevent traffic accidents and improve airport safety protocols.
Recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection demonstrates the administration's enhanced border security measures. Daily apprehensions at the southern border averaged 279 in April 2025, compared to 4,297 in April 2024.
CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores highlighted the operational improvements, noting that more agents are now able to patrol previously understaffed areas. The agency reported only five temporary releases of illegal aliens into the U.S. during April, a stark contrast to the previous year's 68,000.
The administration has successfully deported over 130,000 illegal immigrants since Trump's inauguration, marking a significant milestone in his immigration enforcement agenda.
The ongoing legal dispute between New York's Attorney General and the Trump administration centers on the federal government's authority to condition emergency preparedness and transportation funding on immigration enforcement cooperation. With 20 state attorneys general joining the lawsuits, the battle reflects a broader conflict between state autonomy and federal immigration priorities. The lawsuits challenge both DHS Secretary Noem's threat to withhold emergency preparedness funding and the Department of Transportation's grant conditions.
