The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against New York City, challenging its sanctuary city policies. The lawsuit, submitted on Thursday, claims these policies hinder federal immigration enforcement and contributed to the recent shooting of an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, "New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies. If New York City won’t stand up for the safety of its citizens, we will." This lawsuit is part of a broader initiative by the Justice Department to target localities that implement policies perceived as obstructing immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit names several city officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. It specifically criticizes policies that prevent local law enforcement from honoring civil immigration detainers, which would allow federal authorities to hold individuals beyond their release dates.

Kayla Mamelak Altus, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams, indicated that the mayor supports the core principles of the city’s sanctuary policies. However, she noted that Adams has urged the City Council to reconsider these policies to enhance cooperation with federal authorities, particularly regarding violent criminals. "So far, the Council has refused," she added.

The lawsuit follows a recent incident in which an off-duty Customs and Border Protection officer was shot in a Manhattan park. Officials have linked the shooting to the city’s sanctuary policies, claiming that the suspects involved had a history of arrests and had been released despite active detainers.

The officer, who has not been publicly identified, was reportedly sitting in the park when two men approached on a moped. During the encounter, the officer drew his weapon and exchanged gunfire with one of the suspects, resulting in injuries to both the officer and the suspect.

The Trump administration has previously threatened to withhold federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions and has pursued legal action against various states and cities with similar policies. Earlier this year, the administration sued New York over its Green Light Law, which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses while limiting data sharing with federal immigration authorities.

In addition to New York, the administration has also targeted other Democratic-leaning areas, including Illinois and Los Angeles, over their immigration policies. The ongoing legal battles reflect the administration's commitment to enforcing stricter immigration laws and challenging local policies that it views as obstructive.