Federal Judge Blocks Trump from Cutting Funds to 34 Sanctuary Cities
BREAKING: A federal judge has just ruled that the Trump administration cannot slash funding to 34 cities and counties due to their “sanctuary” policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. U.S. District Judge William Orrick issued this significant ruling on Friday, extending a preliminary injunction that protects local jurisdictions from losing crucial federal funds.
This ruling is a major win for local governments that have faced pressure under Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. The judge emphasized that the administration’s attempt to condition federal funding on compliance with immigration enforcement was unconstitutional. Judge Orrick stated that the government’s arguments were based solely on claims that previous rulings were incorrect, which he firmly rejected.
Trump’s administration has intensified its crackdown on sanctuary jurisdictions as part of its mass deportation strategy. The President issued an executive order instructing Attorney General Pam Bondi and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold federal funding from these communities. This decision threatens billions of dollars meant for essential services in cities that aim to protect undocumented immigrants.
Cities like New York and Los Angeles have already faced lawsuits from the Justice Department over their sanctuary policies, emphasizing the critical nature of this ruling. Judge Orrick noted that Trump’s executive actions demonstrated a “coercive threat” against local governments, which he deemed unconstitutional.
The Department of Homeland Security had previously published a list of over 500 sanctuary jurisdictions, claiming they were noncompliant with federal directives. However, this list was later removed from their website after it inadvertently included municipalities that support the administration’s immigration policy, according to reports.
As this situation develops, local governments are breathing a sigh of relief, knowing they can continue to receive federal funds without the threat of punitive measures for protecting their communities. The impact of this ruling is immediately felt across the nation, as it reaffirms the autonomy of cities and counties in setting their own immigration policies.
The ruling highlights the ongoing tensions between federal authority and local governance, especially around contentious issues like immigration. Authorities and advocates alike will be closely monitoring any further actions from the Trump administration in response to this significant legal setback.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
