ALBANY, N.Y. — A significant court ruling has upheld the Protect Our Courts Act in New York, firmly establishing the state’s right to protect immigrants from federal immigration enforcement at courthouses. U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino dismissed a challenge from the Trump administration, affirming that the federal government cannot compel states to cooperate in immigration-related arrests.
The lawsuit contested a 2020 law that prohibits federal immigration authorities from making arrests at state courthouses unless they possess a warrant signed by a judge. This legislation was enacted in response to aggressive enforcement actions targeting immigrants during the Trump administration.
Judge D’Agostino ruled that New York’s refusal to assist federal immigration authorities aligns with the Tenth Amendment, which limits the federal government’s ability to commandeer state resources for federal enforcement.
She emphasized that the United States fails to identify any federal law mandating that state and local officials assist or cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Nor could it.” This decision marks a critical affirmation of state power and the protection of immigrant rights.
New York Attorney General Letitia James hailed the ruling as a victory for immigrant communities, stating, Everyone deserves to seek justice without fear. The ruling reassures all individuals that they can access state court systems regardless of their immigration status.
The Justice Department has not yet announced if it plans to appeal the ruling, which serves as a major setback for efforts to enforce federal immigration laws at the state level.
