Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Immigration Funding Order, Urgent Ruling

UPDATE: A federal judge has just dealt a significant blow to President Donald Trump‘s administration by blocking a controversial order concerning transportation funding. U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued a permanent injunction on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, preventing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from withholding crucial funds from states that do not comply with federal immigration priorities.

Judge McConnell’s decision comes after he found that the Trump administration had “blatantly overstepped” its authority by linking immigration enforcement to federal transportation grants. In his ruling, McConnell stated, “None of the statutes cited by DOT expressly afford it the kind of sweeping authority it claims.”

The ruling originates from a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 20 states, led by California, in May 2023. The lawsuit challenged the directive from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, which imposed immigration-related conditions on congressionally approved funding. Duffy had previously asserted, “Federal grants come with a clear obligation to adhere to federal laws,” emphasizing the need to enforce immigration rules.

Judge McConnell elaborated that the conditions set by the DOT were irrelevant to transportation issues. He stated, “Absent any clear indication of such an attempt, the Court declines to find that DOT was vested with the sweeping power it asserts in setting a condition that is so obviously unrelated to the grant programs it administers.”

This ruling is especially significant as it highlights the ongoing legal challenges facing the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha praised the decision, asserting, “The ability of Rhode Islanders to travel on safe roads and bridges cannot hang on the political whims of one man.”

Moreover, this ruling is part of a series of setbacks for the Trump administration. Just days prior, McConnell ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to access contingency funds to avoid a lapse in benefits for households reliant on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The USDA confirmed on Monday, October 23, 2023, that it would provide partial payments to beneficiaries, following Trump’s controversial statements on social media regarding funding delays.

As this situation develops, observers are keenly watching for further responses from the Trump administration and affected states. The implications of McConnell’s ruling may not only affect transportation funding but could also reshape the broader conversation around federal-state relations concerning immigration enforcement.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.