BREAKING: Judge Rules New York Need Not Aid ICE Arrests
Decision shuts down federal push to invalidate state courthouse protections in landmark sovereignty case.
WASHINGTON — A federal judge has dismissed the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit seeking to force New York to assist federal immigration authorities in making civil immigration arrests at state courthouses, effectively siding with New York’s determination that its resources cannot be conscripted for federal immigration enforcement.
Judge Upholds New York’s Right to Decline Assistance
U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, ruling from Albany on November 17, emphasized that under the Tenth Amendment, New York retains the right to decline to assist with federal immigration efforts, especially in ways that would compel state resources for enforcement actions.
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The ruling cited key precedents involving New Jersey, Illinois, and California, noting that invalidating New York’s policies would mean “[state participation in immigration enforcement] efforts would no longer be voluntary,” undermining the state’s ability to protect its interests in the face of federal demands.
Federal Lawsuit Dismissed, Courthouse Protections Upheld
The dismissed lawsuit had sought to invalidate New York’s protections against civil immigration arrests for residents participating in state court proceedings and accessing state facilities for state services. Justice D’Agostino’s order clarified that New York’s choice not to participate cannot be struck down simply by framing it as a matter of intergovernmental immunity, warning that such a move “would provide an end-run around the Tenth Amendment.” The ruling leaned heavily on the state’s sovereignty and the need to safeguard its ability to govern and protect its residents from “undue federal interference.”
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Court Orders Case Closed
In a sharply worded conclusion, Judge D’Agostino granted New York’s motion to dismiss and ordered the Clerk of the Court to enter judgment in New York’s favor and close the case. The decision marks a significant win for state autonomy in immigration policy, confirming that local governments cannot be compelled to allocate resources or change practices solely because of federal enforcement preferences.
The order was signed in Albany and is effective immediately, solidifying New York’s stance in the continuing national debate over the roles of local and federal governments in enforcing immigration laws.
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