Federal Judge Blocks Trump Order Punishing Sanctuary Cities

A federal judge has blocked President Trump's executive order targeting sanctuary cities, issuing an injunction that deems the directive unconstitutional. Judge William H. Orrick's ruling follows a similar decision made in 2017, asserting that the order would cause irreparable harm to local governments reliant on federal funding. The lawsuit, spearheaded by San Francisco and Santa Clara counties, argued that the executive order undermines trust between local communities and their governments. Orrick noted that the threat of withholding funds creates budgetary uncertainty and deprives cities of constitutional rights.

The lawsuit included multiple jurisdictions, such as Oakland, Sacramento, and New Haven, Connecticut, highlighting widespread dissent against the federal mandate. The ruling reinforces the legal complexities surrounding immigration enforcement and local autonomy. Local officials, including SF City Attorney David Chiu, criticized the administration's tactics of pressuring local police to act as federal agents. As the case unfolds, it adds to the ongoing legal challenges against Trump’s executive actions.