A Biden-appointed judge dealt the Trump administration another legal blow Thursday, tossing its lawsuit seeking to upend New York City’s sanctuary policies after ruling that the Justice Department’s arguments amounted to a "backdoor around the Tenth Amendment."The Trump administration sued New York City in July 2025, alleging that its sanctuary laws unlawfully hinder federal immigration enforcement by restricting local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal authorities.The New York City case is one of more than two dozen lawsuits the Trump administration has filed against state and local jurisdictions over sanctuary and related policies restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.But U.S.District Judge Ramón E.
Reyes Jr.ruled that the federal government lacked standing to challenge New York City’s restrictions on honoring ICE detainers and rejected the Justice Department’s claims that the city’s sanctuary policies are preempted by federal law.MAMDANI BLASTS FEDS FOR WAGING 'CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE AND TERROR' AGAINST NYC'S IMMIGRANTSMayor of New York Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference at Middle Collegiate Church in New York City on March 19, 2026.
(Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrated the ruling in a Friday post on X, accusing the administration of attempting to turn city employees into immigration enforcement agents."The federal government tried to turn our public servants into deportation agents and force New York City to carry out ICE’s cruel agenda.Today, a federal court rejected that effort and upheld our laws.
Every New Yorker deserves to seek help from their city without fear of being targeted for deportation.We will stand by our immigrant neighbors, defend our laws and protect the promise that this city belongs to all of us," Mamdani wrote.Reyes found the administration lacked standing because striking down the city’s restrictions would not remedy its alleged har...