The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on July 24, 2025, against New York City, Mayor Eric Adams, and several other city officials challenging the city's sanctuary city policies. The DOJ argues that these local laws obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts and are unconstitutional. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the federal government's commitment to public safety, stating that if New York City does not uphold safety for its citizens, the federal government will intervene. The lawsuit targets policies that the Justice Department claims impede the ability of federal immigration officers to perform their duties effectively.