Judge Blocks Trump's Funding Cuts to Sanctuary Cities

A federal judge in San Francisco, William Orrick, has blocked the Trump administration from withholding or conditioning federal funds to sanctuary cities and counties that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The injunction came after San Francisco and 15 other jurisdictions argued that the administration's executive orders unlawfully attempted to force local officials to assist with federal immigration arrests. Judge Orrick found the orders violated the Constitution’s separation of powers, the Spending Clause, and the Fifth and Tenth Amendments, particularly noting due process concerns and vagueness. The administration was ordered to notify all federal departments and agencies of the ruling. This decision builds on a previous 2017 ruling, affirmed by the Ninth Circuit, that found similar Trump orders exceeded presidential authority. The Justice Department’s argument that the injunction was premature was rejected, as the judge cited a well-founded fear of enforcement based on past actions and new directives.