Democratic states challenge Trump’s immigration funding threats in court

In the United States, on May 13, 2025, twenty Democratic-led states initiated a legal challenge against the Trump administration regarding its immigration policies. The lawsuits were filed in a federal court in Rhode Island and were spearheaded by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The states are contesting the administration's threats to withhold essential federal funding for transportation, counterterrorism, and disaster relief from states that do not comply with federal immigration enforcement policies. This action came in light of prior federal court rulings that had blocked the administration from withholding federal funds from cities and counties that refused to assist with civil immigration arrests. The plaintiffs—representing a diverse set of states including Colorado, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey—argue that the federal government is acting illegally by exploiting federal funding as leverage to enforce compliance with its immigration agenda. This agenda aims to execute what the administration identifies as the largest mass deportation initiative in U.S. history. From California's perspective, withholding funds that are essential to community safety constitutes a blatant misuse of power, with Bonta describing the Trump administration's actions as “blatantly illegal.” Underlying the lawsuits are concerns regarding the state laws that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, often referred to as sanctuary policies. These policies typically require law enforcement to obtain a signed warrant before detaining individuals based solely on immigration status. The Trump administration's hardline stance on illegal immigration has led to various legal challenges, and this current legal effort represents a continuation of opposition from Democratic-led states. Moreover, the administration's decision to increase collaboration under the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation emphasizes its commitment to enforcing stricter immigration policies. Experts anticipate that the outcomes of these legal challenges will significantly influence the political and legal framework pertaining to federal funding and immigration practices, as well as the relationship between the states and the federal government. The implications of these lawsuits could extend to how funding is allocated and the autonomy of states in managing immigration local policies going forward.