US Sues New York City Over ‘Sanctuary’ Jurisdiction Laws

The lawsuit seeks to overturn provisions of the city’s administrative code and police directives, which it alleges violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.

In this handout photo provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the New York City Fugitive Operations Team conducted targeted enforcement operations resulting in the arrest of a Dominican national in New York City on Jan. 28, 2025. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images

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.