Court rules Trump administration cannot withhold or freeze federal funding to cities and counties it labels as “sanctuary jurisdictions”

For immediate release: Aug. 22, 2025

Media contact: Jackie Jena, jackie@publicrightsproject.org

OAKLAND, CA — A district court handed local governments a legal victory in a case about federal funding and sanctuary cities. The preliminary injunction blocks the Trump administration from withholding or freezing federal funding from, or putting conditions on, municipalities and counties it labels as so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions.” The court order extends protection to 34 new jurisdictions that joined the lawsuit in July, bringing the total to 50.

The case challenges the administration’s efforts to punish so-called sanctuary jurisdictions by using unrelated federal funding as leverage to enforce unlawful immigration policy. Together, the plaintiffs represent more than 30 million residents across the country. 

“This ruling is a critical victory for local governments who know their communities best,” said Jill Habig, founder and CEO of Public Rights Project. “Many have adopted policies that prioritize local public safety over federal immigration enforcement. They should be free to make those decisions without political coercion or interference. We’re proud to stand with the 50 jurisdictions defending their residents’ rights, constitutional protections and community trust.”

Earlier this year, the Trump administration issued executive orders threatening to cut off funding and directed the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute officials who don’t conduct the work of federal immigration authorities.

Among other claims, the lawsuit argues that forcing local governments to aid in federal immigration enforcement violates the 10th Amendment, which protects states’ rights to govern their own affairs. It also cites the constitutional principle of separation of powers, which prevents one branch of government from overstepping its authority and interfering with the functions of another.

The coalition is led by the City and County of San Francisco and Santa Clara County, Calif., with Public Rights Project serving as counsel for numerous local governments in the case. 

The plaintiffs are:

• Alameda County, Calif.
• Albany, NY
• Albuquerque, N. Mex.
• Allegheny County, Penn.
• Baltimore, Md.
• Benicia, Calif.
• Bend, Ore.
• Berkeley, Calif.
• Boston, Mass.
• Cambridge, Mass.
• Cathedral City, Calif.
• Chicago, Ill.
• Columbus, Ohio
• Culver City, Calif.
• Dane County, Wis.
• Denver, Colo.
• Emeryville, Calif.
• Healdsburg, Calif.
• Hennepin County, Minn.
• King County, Wash.
• Los Angeles, Calif.
• Marin County, Calif.
• Menlo Park, Calif.
• Minneapolis, Minn.
• Monterey County, Calif.
• Multnomah County, Ore.
• New Haven, Conn.
• Oakland, Calif.
• Pacifica, Calif.
• Palo Alto, Calif.
• Petaluma, Calif.
• Pierce County, Wash.
• Portland, Ore.
• Richmond, Calif.
• Rochester, NY
• Rohnert Park, Calif.
• Sacramento, Calif.
• San Diego, Calif.
• San Francisco, City and County, Calif. 
• San Jose, Calif.
• San Mateo County, Calif.
• Santa Clara County, Calif.
• Santa Cruz, Calif.
• Santa Fe, N.M.
• Santa Rosa, Calif.
• Seattle, Wash.
• Sonoma County, Calif.
• St. Paul, Minn.
• Watsonville, Calif.
• Wilsonville, Ore.

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Public Rights Project
As a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, Public Rights Project helps local government officials fight for civil rights. We do this by building their capacity to protect and advance civil rights, convening and connecting them on issues of civil rights, and providing legal representation to governments to help them win in court on behalf of their residents. Since our founding, we’ve built a network of over 1,300 partners, including elected officials and 227 government offices across all 50 states, and helped recover over $46 million in relief for marginalized people. www.publicrightsproject.org

Coalition statement on ruling: 

This ruling marks an important victory for local governments across the country. By blocking the Trump administration from enforcing new federal funding conditions tied to immigration policy disputes, the court reaffirmed a simple truth: local leaders must be able to serve their communities without political interference.

The decision extends protections to 50 jurisdictions representing more than 30 million residents. These cities and counties know best how to invest in public safety, health, housing and other essential services, and they should be free to do so without coercion from Washington.

We remain united in defending our residents’ rights, protecting vital local services and opposing any attempt to use federal funding as a tool of political punishment.