A US judge on Thursday stopped the Trump administration from forcing 20 Democratic-led states to help with immigration enforcement in order to receive federal transportation grants.
Chief US District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island ruled that the US Department of Transportation cannot require states to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) to get billions in funding. The judge said this condition violated the US Constitution.
“Congress did not authorize or give authority to the Secretary of Transportation to impose immigration enforcement conditions on federal dollars meant for transportation,” McConnell wrote in his ruling.
The judge added that the administration failed to show any logical link between cooperating with ICE and the purpose of the transportation grants, which are meant for highways, bridges, and other public works.
The 20 states, along with local governments, had sued after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned them they could lose funding if they did not help enforce federal immigration law. Duffy’s April 24 notice told states they must support ICE or risk losing money for road and bridge projects.
McConnell’s ruling blocks the policy while the lawsuit continues. The Trump administration had defended its policy as part of its broad crackdown on sanctuary cities and states that refuse to help with immigration arrests. Since returning to office in January, Trump has signed several executive orders calling for cuts to funding for jurisdictions that do not assist ICE.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta welcomed the judge’s decision. “Trump was treating these funds — money for roads and public safety — as a bargaining chip,” Bonta said.
The states also have another case in Rhode Island challenging similar conditions the Homeland Security Department placed on other grant programs.
The Trump administration has not yet commented on the ruling.
Chief US District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island ruled that the US Department of Transportation cannot require states to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) to get billions in funding. The judge said this condition violated the US Constitution.
“Congress did not authorize or give authority to the Secretary of Transportation to impose immigration enforcement conditions on federal dollars meant for transportation,” McConnell wrote in his ruling.
The judge added that the administration failed to show any logical link between cooperating with ICE and the purpose of the transportation grants, which are meant for highways, bridges, and other public works.
The 20 states, along with local governments, had sued after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned them they could lose funding if they did not help enforce federal immigration law. Duffy’s April 24 notice told states they must support ICE or risk losing money for road and bridge projects.
McConnell’s ruling blocks the policy while the lawsuit continues. The Trump administration had defended its policy as part of its broad crackdown on sanctuary cities and states that refuse to help with immigration arrests. Since returning to office in January, Trump has signed several executive orders calling for cuts to funding for jurisdictions that do not assist ICE.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta welcomed the judge’s decision. “Trump was treating these funds — money for roads and public safety — as a bargaining chip,” Bonta said.
The states also have another case in Rhode Island challenging similar conditions the Homeland Security Department placed on other grant programs.
The Trump administration has not yet commented on the ruling.
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