The recent developments and resignations within the Department of Justice under the leadership of newly appointed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi underscore the ongoing national debate over immigration policies, state autonomy and federal enforcement.

The DOJ’s Expanding Influence Under Bondi

Bondi, a former lobbyist for one of the world’s largest private prison and immigration detention companies, marked her first day in office by issuing a memo banning access to federal funds for “sanctuary jurisdictions” that provide protections for undocumented immigrants. The document was obtained by the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

The following day, Bondi filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago, a prominent sanctuary jurisdiction. NBC News reported the lawsuit challenges the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance and the Illinois TRUST Act. These laws restrict local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement and sharing individuals’ immigration status with federal authorities.

Bondi escalated her legal efforts the following week by filing an additional lawsuit against New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, CBS News reported. This lawsuit targeted New York’s Green Light Law, which restricts the Department of Motor Vehicles from sharing information with federal immigration authorities and allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

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