New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), challenging the agency’s decision to freeze approximately $34 million in federal funding intended for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
The funding, which is part of a federal grant program supporting transit security and infrastructure, has been withheld by DHS in what state officials describe as an arbitrary and unjustified move. According to the Attorney General’s office, the freeze threatens the MTA’s ability to maintain critical services and protect millions of daily commuters.
“New Yorkers depend on safe and reliable public transportation every single day,” James said in a statement. “The federal government’s decision to withhold this funding puts our transit system at risk, and we will not stand by as these essential resources disappear.”
The lawsuit seeks to compel DHS to release the funds and ensure that the MTA can continue its planned security and infrastructure upgrades. Officials also warned that the prolonged freeze could delay safety projects and disrupt the agency’s efforts to modernize its operations.
This legal action comes at a time when New York City’s transit system is facing financial strain amid rising operating costs and calls for increased safety measures across the subway and bus networks.
