US Justice Department files lawsuit against New York for blocking immigration enforcement

WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday that it has filed a lawsuit against New York state, challenging state policies that blocked immigration officials from arresting individuals at or near New York courthouses.

"Specifically, the complaint challenges a law, called the Protect Our Courts Act, that purposefully shields dangerous aliens from being lawfully detained at or on their way to or from a courthouse and imposes criminal liability for violations of the shield," the Justice Department said in a statement.