The Trump administration said that imposing the conditions was within its discretion and that those who violate federal law shouldn’t get federal funds.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announces actions against states for failing to enforce English language requirements for commercial drivers, during a press conference at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, on Aug. 26, 2025. Brian Snyder/File Photo/Reuters
A federal judge has permanently blocked the Department of Transportation (DOT) from conditioning grants based on states’ cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
In a summary judgment order on Nov. 4, U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. of the District of Rhode Island said the Trump administration’s conditions violated both the Administrative Procedure Act and the spending clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Sam Dorman
Washington Correspondent
Sam Dorman is a Washington correspondent covering courts and politics for The Epoch Times. You can follow him on X at @EpochofDorman.
