New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York supporting Rochester’s “sanctuary city” law. The brief comes as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) pursues a lawsuit against Rochester, arguing that its local law is unconstitutional and preempted by federal statutes.
Attorney General James asserts that laws limiting local authorities’ involvement in federal immigration enforcement allow communities to focus on public safety priorities, such as crime prevention and reducing gun violence. She maintains that the Constitution grants states and their localities authority over day-to-day public safety within their jurisdictions.
“For years, these laws in Rochester and cities throughout New York have kept New Yorkers safe,” said Attorney General James. “The Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant communities are cruel and shameful. Rochester’s law is constitutional, and my office will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect New Yorkers.”
Rochester enacted its sanctuary city law in 1986 and updated it in 2017. The law restricts local or state agencies from participating in federal civil immigration enforcement but does not limit cooperation on criminal matters. According to Attorney General James, this approach builds trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, ensuring that resources are directed toward local needs.
She argues that encouraging immigrant community members to report crimes or seek medical care without fear of deportation helps keep residents safe. Research shows that when local police are more involved in immigration enforcement, immigrants may avoid contact with authorities—even when they need help—which can lead to increased vulnerability to crime or health complications due to delayed care.
A former Rochester police chief noted that the 2017 update aimed to prevent diversion of limited resources away from pressing issues like gun violence reduction.
Attorney General James urges the court to rule in favor of Rochester and uphold its sanctuary city policy.
James has previously joined coalitions defending legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children, supported efforts to block mass termination of parole programs for certain nationalities, backed lawsuits challenging federal immigration tactics, and co-led initiatives defending Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan immigrants.
