SYRACUSE -- New York and two upstate counties are suing the U.S. Department of Interior to stop the federal agency from putting 13,004 acres of upstate land into trust for the Oneida Indian Nation.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says the federal agency's decision is unconstitutional because New York State has continuously exercised jurisdiction over its lands since the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and has never consented to the removal of any state land from its jurisdiction.

If the trust decision is upheld, Cuomo says it will fundamentally and permanently alter the character and governance structure of the affected areas and adversely and irreparably impact the financial stability of those communities.