Judge blocks efforts to cut funding from Boston, other areas over sanctuary policies

U. S. District Judge William Orrick ruled that the Trump administration cannot cut federal funding for Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and over 30 other cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration efforts. The ruling extends a preliminary injunction that protects these sanctuary jurisdictions from funding cuts. The Trump administration has escalated its efforts to enforce immigration laws, reflecting President Trump's pledge to remove millions of undocumented immigrants.

One executive order directs the withholding of federal funds from cities with sanctuary policies, while another mandates that federal payments do not support such jurisdictions. The cities involved in the lawsuit argue that billions of dollars in federal funding are at stake. This decision highlights the ongoing conflict between federal immigration policy and local governance. The ruling serves as a critical legal victory for cities advocating for immigrant protections. Local governments may now feel more empowered to resist federal immigration enforcement efforts.