Trump Immigration Policy Blocked: Transportation Funds
A federal judge has blocked the Trump governance’s immigration enforcement policy,halting the potential withholding of transportation funds from 20 states. The ruling, delivered in Providence, Rhode Island, sides with states challenging the policy’s legality. The core issue: Can the government leverage transportation funding too compel cooperation with federal immigration efforts? Chief Judge McConnell found these states likely to succeed in their claims. Attorneys general argued against using federal funds as leverage for Trump’s strict policies. The case questions the authority of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the legality of imposing immigration-related conditions on transportation infrastructure funds.News Directory 3 provides the latest updates.The judge’s decision now prompts further hearings. Discover what’s next.
Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Immigration Enforcement policy
Updated June 19, 2025
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A federal judge has put a stop to the Trump administration’s policy of perhaps withholding billions in transportation grant money from 20 states led by Democrats. The policy aimed to pressure these states into greater cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence ruled Thursday in favor of an injunction requested by the states. McConnell, an Obama appointee, stated the states are likely to prove their claims against the Department of Transportation‘s policy.
The lawsuit, brought by state attorneys general, argued the administration was illegally using federal funds as leverage to enforce Trump’s strict immigration policies. The states contended that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy lacked the authority to impose immigration-related conditions on funds designated by Congress for transportation infrastructure.
As taking office in January, Trump has pursued a strategy of defunding so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE). These jurisdictions frequently enough have policies preventing local law enforcement from aiding federal civil immigration arrests. The Justice Department has also filed lawsuits against states like Illinois, New York, and Colorado, challenging their laws that allegedly hinder federal immigration efforts.
Duffy’s April 24 notification to the states indicated they risked losing transportation funding if they didn’t fully cooperate with federal law enforcement, including ICE. The states argued this condition was unconstitutionally vague and ambiguous, making it unclear what constituted adequate cooperation.
The administration maintained that Duffy’s policy was within his authority and that requiring states to comply with federal law was reasonable.
The 20 states are also pursuing a separate, similar case in Rhode Island, challenging new immigration enforcement conditions imposed by the Department of Homeland Security on grant programs.
What’s next
The case will likely proceed to further hearings and potential appeals,with the long-term fate of the transportation funding and immigration enforcement policy still uncertain.