NYC Sanctuary Laws: Judge Tosses Trump Lawsuit

The fight over NYC sanctuary laws took a sharp turn Thursday, when a federal judge in Brooklyn threw out the Trump administration’s lawsuit aimed at overturning the city’s limits on cooperation with federal immigration agents.

U.S. District Judge Ramon Reyes ruled that the government had no valid basis to bring the case, handing a clear defeat to the administration’s campaign against so-called sanctuary city policies.

Judge Says Government Lacks Standing to Sue

Reyes found the administration could not challenge a city law that bars police from holding immigrants at the request of federal authorities, because that practice is already prohibited under state law.

The ruling also upheld city rules that stop local agencies from sharing immigrants’ release dates, locations, or custody information. Federal law does not require state and local governments to hand over that information, the judge said.

No Federal Power to Force Local Help

The judge rejected the administration’s argument that federal law overrides the city’s protections. In his decision, Reyes found that the federal government cannot compel local governments to assist with immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court in July 2025, was part of the administration’s broader legal push against sanctuary policies that limit local help for federal deportation efforts. The Justice Department did not immediately comment on the ruling.

The decision marks one of the most significant courtroom setbacks yet for the White House’s effort to dismantle sanctuary protections in major cities.

Source: Reuters