A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from denying federal funds to sanctuary cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, ruling that the administration’s actions were unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge William Orrick issued the nationwide injunction in response to lawsuits filed by San Francisco and 16 other cities and counties.
The lawsuits challenged a January 2017 executive order that sought to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions that restrict their participation in federal immigration enforcement.
Judge Orrick found that the executive branch overstepped its authority by attempting to impose funding conditions without congressional approval.
He emphasized that the executive order violated the separation of powers and the Tenth Amendment, which reserves certain rights to the states.
“The Constitution grants the spending powers to Congress, not the president,” Orrick wrote in his ruling. “The administration’s attempt to condition federal grants on local immigration enforcement cooperation is unconstitutional.”
The injunction prohibits the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing the order to cut off funds.
Affected grants include millions of dollars in federal aid used for law enforcement, housing, and emergency services in sanctuary jurisdictions.
San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera welcomed the decision, calling it a “strong defense of the rule of law.” He said the ruling ensures local governments can continue to make decisions based on the needs of their communities without federal coercion.
The Trump administration had argued that sanctuary policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and endanger public safety. Officials claimed that withholding funds would pressure cities into compliance.
However, sanctuary cities maintain that their policies promote trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, encouraging cooperation and reporting of crimes without fear of deportation.
The Department of Justice has not yet announced whether it will appeal Judge Orrick’s decision.