NEW YORK (AP) - The Latest on lawsuits filed in Manhattan federal court by six states and New York City to challenge Justice Department rules requiring immigration enforcement cooperation in return for federal anti-crime funds. (all times local):
5:15 p.m.
A Justice Department spokesman says six states and New York City cheat law-abiding citizens by suing the federal government over immigration enforcement policies.
Spokesman Devin O’Malley commented after two lawsuits challenged the constitutionality of federal government policies requiring immigration enforcement help in return for federal anti-crime dollars.
Lawsuits in Manhattan on Wednesday were filed by New York state and city, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts and Virginia.
The lawsuits sought a court order to block policies announced last summer. Similar lawsuits have won court rulings blocking the federal action.
Zachary Carter, New York City’s corporation counsel, says the federal government’s efforts would cause immigrant communities to disengage from public service “and retreat into the shadows, to the detriment of their own safety and that of the public.”
1:26 p.m.
Six states and New York City are suing the federal government, saying it is unlawfully forcing them to engage in federal immigration enforcement to receive anti-crime funds.
Lawsuits were filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court on behalf of New York state and city, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts and Virginia.
They seek a judge’s declaration that the policy change announced last year and enforced beginning last month is unconstitutional.
Lawyers for the states wrote in court papers that the Justice Department was forcing states to accept unlawful conditions that diminish their ability to set their law enforcement priorities and protect their communities.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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