During a press conference on Wednesday, February 12, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi — speaking on behalf of President Donald Trump — announced that legal action had been filed against the state of New York and several of its top officials. The lawsuit names Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder, accusing them of failing to follow federal immigration laws.
At the center of the controversy is New York’s “Green Light Law,” which allows undocumented immigrants to apply for standard driver’s licenses. Bondi called this policy a danger to public safety, claiming it puts non-citizens ahead of American citizens.
“This is a new DOJ,” Bondi declared, emphasizing that under her direction, the Department of Justice would take a tougher stance on illegal immigration. “New York has ignored our warnings. Now it’s your turn,” she said, signaling a firm approach to state-level policies she believes defy federal standards.
Bondi criticized the Green Light Law for allowing individuals to obtain driver’s licenses without proof of legal status. She argued this undermines national security and law enforcement efforts, and vowed to protect Americans — including so-called “angel moms,” families who lost loved ones to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.
She clarified that the goal isn’t to prosecute people unnecessarily but to push for compliance with the law. “We don’t want to sue anyone — we want cooperation. But if we have to, we will act,” she said.
New York isn’t the only state in Bondi’s sights. She mentioned Illinois was the first to face legal action, and since New York didn’t change course, it’s now facing similar scrutiny. “We’re here to stop this before more tragedy strikes,” she said.
Whether you agree with Bondi’s approach or not, her press conference made it clear: her focus is on states she believes are putting immigration policy ahead of federal law — and she doesn’t plan on backing down anytime soon.