Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Withholding Millions in Grants from 34 Sanctuary Jurisdictions

San Francisco, CA – A federal judge on March 27, 2019, permanently blocked the Trump administration from denying millions of dollars in federal law enforcement grants to 34 cities and counties, including Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick III in San Francisco issued a permanent injunction against the Justice Department's conditions on Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG). The ruling came in response to lawsuits filed by these jurisdictions challenging the administration's efforts to withhold funds over policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The Associated Press reported on the development, stating, "A judge has ruled that the Trump administration cannot deny funding to Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and 30 other cities and counties because of policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration efforts." The Justice Department had sought to withhold these grants, arguing that "sanctuary" policies obstructed federal immigration efforts by restricting access to local jails and information sharing regarding inmates.

This ruling built upon earlier legal challenges, such as a 2018 decision by U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber in Chicago, which similarly blocked the withholding of a $2.3 million grant from Chicago. The broader injunction by Judge Orrick specifically applied to a coalition of 34 jurisdictions that had collectively sued the administration. These included not only major cities but also states like California, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, which had adopted policies limiting their involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

The Byrne Justice Assistance Grants are crucial federal funds that support a wide range of local law enforcement programs, including drug task forces, crime prevention initiatives, and equipment purchases. The Trump administration's attempts to leverage these funds to compel cooperation with immigration authorities were part of a broader effort to crack down on so-called "sanctuary cities." Judge Orrick's decision affirmed that the administration exceeded its authority by imposing such conditions.

The ruling was seen as a significant victory for local governments and immigrant rights advocates, who argued that federal attempts to coerce local law enforcement into acting as immigration agents were unconstitutional and undermined community trust. While the Trump administration could appeal the decision, the injunction provided immediate relief to the affected jurisdictions, allowing them to retain vital federal funding without altering their local immigration policies.