Judge Blocks Transportation Department From Withholding Funds From States That Defy Federal Immigration Policy

Several Democratic state attorneys general sued in mid-May.
Judge Blocks Transportation Department From Withholding Funds From States That Defy Federal Immigration Policy
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks to reporters at the White House on Jan. 30, 2025. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
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A group of Democratic attorneys general secured a favorable ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island on June 19 to temporarily block the Trump administration’s plan to withhold transportation grant funding for states that refuse to go along with its immigration polices.

Two days earlier, in the wake of recent anti-immigration riots in Los Angeles rife with looting, destruction of personal property, and physical impediment of immigration officials, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy said on X: “The @USDOT will NOT fund rogue state actors who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. And to cities that stand by while rioters destroy transportation infrastructure—don’t expect a red cent from DOT, either. Follow the law, or forfeit the funding.”

T.J. Muscaro
T.J. Muscaro
Author
Based out of Tampa, Florida, TJ primarily covers weather and national politics.