A group comprising 20 state Democratic attorneys general has initiated two federal lawsuits contending that the Trump administration is coercing states by threatening to withhold billions in transportation and disaster-relief funds unless certain immigration enforcement measures are adopted. The lawsuits assert that both the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have issued ultimatums to states mandating compliance with President Donald Trump’s immigration policies under threat of financial penalty.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, conveyed that while the withholding of federal funds hasn’t yet occurred, the threat looms large. “President Donald Trump is attempting to leverage these funds to coerce compliance with his policy preferences,” Bonta remarked.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, insisted that the lawsuit would not impede the Trump Administration’s efforts to “reinstate the rule of law.” She emphasized that jurisdictions that defy immigration laws should not expect funding. “The President’s stance is unequivocal on this matter,” she stated.
Duffy responded with a statement suggesting the lawsuit arose from states’ desires to prioritize illegal immigrants over their citizens by flouting federal laws. The attorneys generals’ lawsuits argue that the Trump administration’s actions encroach on the U.S. Constitution by usurping Congress’s authority to allocate federal funds.
On April 24, states were issued a letter from the Department of Transportation compelling cooperation with immigration enforcement and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at the risk of funding cuts. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin criticized the timing of Duffy’s letter, suggesting it was politically motivated at a time when Newark’s airport faced operational challenges.
Platkin expressed frustration, “I wish the administration would desist from politicizing people’s livelihoods. Secretary Duffy should focus on his duties, like ensuring flight punctuality, rather than directing immigration policies.”
Previously, on February 24, states received similar communications from the Department of Homeland Security, demanding cooperation in immigration enforcement and asserting that entities refusing collaboration are spurning shared American ideals.
Kristi Noem concurred, asserting in her letter that entities dismissing Homeland Security’s mission should not receive federal funding unless explicitly mandated by Congress.
The attorneys general involved in the legal action represent a variety of states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, and Vermont. Although spearheaded by California and Illinois, the suits have been filed in federal court in Rhode Island to ensure fair consideration and objective judgment.
These lawsuits are the latest among several legal actions by Democratic-led states since President Trump’s inauguration earlier this year. Bonta noted California’s involvement in over 20 lawsuits against the current administration, while Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha mentioned that his state has pursued more than a dozen.
While these suits have touched on varied policy areas including tariffs, federal employment decisions, and healthcare research, the focus on immigration enforcement has garnered the most attention. The president’s promises regarding large-scale deportations and the establishment of a registry for undocumented immigrants have been particularly controversial.
As Neronha put it, “The current environment suggests an alarming drift towards authoritarianism.”