Judge bars President Trump from denying federal funds to 'sanctuary' cities that limit immigration cooperation
Share this @internewscast.com

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge in California barred the Trump administration from denying or conditioning the use of federal funds to “sanctuary” jurisdictions on Thursday, saying that portions of President Donald Trump’s executive orders were unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick issued the injunction sought by San Francisco and more than a dozen other municipalities that limit cooperation with federal immigration efforts.

Orrick wrote that defendants are prohibited “from directly or indirectly taking any action to withhold, freeze, or condition federal funds,” and the administration must provide written notice of his order to all federal departments and agencies by Monday.

One executive order issued by Trump directs Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold federal money from sanctuary jurisdictions. The second order directs every federal agency to ensure that payments to state and local governments do not “abet so-called ‘sanctuary’ policies that seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation.”

At a hearing Wednesday, Justice Department lawyers argued that it was much too early for the judge to grant an injunction when the government had not taken any action to withhold specific amounts or to lay out conditions on specific grants.

But Orrick, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, said this was essentially what government lawyers argued during Trump’s first term when the Republican issued a similar order.

“Their well-founded fear of enforcement is even stronger than it was in 2017,” Orrick wrote, citing the executive orders as well as directives from Bondi, other federal agencies and Justice Department lawsuits filed against Chicago and New York.

San Francisco successfully challenged the 2017 Trump order, and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court that the president exceeded his authority when he signed an executive order threatening to cut funding for “sanctuary cities.”

Plaintiffs were pleased with the judge’s order.

“At a time when we continue to see tremendous federal overreach, the Court’s ruling affirms that local governments can serve their mission and maintain trust with the communities they care for,” said Tony LoPresti, counsel for Santa Clara County, in a statement.

It’s unclear if federal agencies will abide by the order. On Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a reminder to recipients of federal transportation funding that they are expected to follow federal law, including on immigration enforcement, or face potential consequences.

The department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

There is no strict definition for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities, but the terms generally describe limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE enforces immigration laws nationwide but seeks state and local help in alerting federal authorities of immigrants wanted for deportation and holding that person until federal officers take custody.

Leaders of sanctuary jurisdictions say their communities are safer because immigrants feel they can communicate with local police without fear of deportation. It is also a way for municipalities to focus their dollars on crime locally, they say.

Besides San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which includes a third plaintiff, the city of San José, there are 13 other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which include Seattle and King County, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota; New Haven, Connecticut; and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Police respond to explosion at Palm Springs, California near American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic

Police Investigate Explosion Near Palm Springs Fertility Clinic

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Officials in California say police and firefighters are…
Two-faced RFK Jr. 'politicized science' to kill NY fracking

How RFK Jr. Used ‘Politicized Science’ to Halt NY Fracking Plans

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he’s fighting the kind of “politicized science that…
Riverview High School teacher arrested for relationship with student: HCSO

Riverview High School Educator Detained Over Alleged Student Affair: HCSO

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Riverview High School teacher for…
Update: Palm Springs Bomber Identified, Identifies As 'Pro-Mortalist'

Breaking News: Palm Springs Bombing Suspect Revealed as ‘Pro-Mortalist’ Advocate

As revealed in a 30-minute audiotape he left, Bartkus identified as a…
How to sell a car

Guide to Selling Your Car

(iSeeCars) – Whether your vehicle is starting to show its age or…
Pope Leo says family based on ‘union between a man and a woman,’ defends dignity of unborn

Pope Leo Affirms Traditional Family Values and Champions the Rights of the Unborn

<!–> Global and Media Reactions to Pope Leo XIV’s Election OutKick journalist…
JD Vance and Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands during first encounter since Oval Office blow-up

JD Vance Meets Volodymyr Zelensky for the First Time Since Dispute at the White House

Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly met for…
Woman confronts cannibal father who murdered her 'second mom' in chilling reunion

Daughter Faces Cannibal Father Who Killed Her Stepmother in Tense Reunion

For the first time in four years, Jamie-Lee Arrow was ready to…
Police and firefighters respond to an explosion rocking the California city of Palm Springs

Authorities Address Explosion Shaking Palm Springs, California

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Officials in California say police and firefighters…
Massive sailing vessel collides with Brooklyn Bridge in dramatic NYC crash caught on camera

Huge Sailing Vessel Crashes Into Brooklyn Bridge in Dramatic NYC Accident Captured on Video

A search and rescue mission is in progress following the collision of…
Alonso Martinez helps lift NYCFC to shutout win over rival Red Bulls

Alonso Martinez Leads NYCFC to a Victory Over Red Bulls with a Clean Sheet

Alonso Martínez contributed a goal and an assist as New York City…
Eurovision 2025: Who will win Europe's pop crown?

Who will claim the pop crown at Eurovision 2025?

No smoke machine, jet of flame or dizzying light display has been…