Washington – California Atty. General Rob Bonta filed two lawsuits Tuesday, challenging the Trump administration’s policy of denialing state billions of dollars in state transport grants unless it continues with the administration’s initiative on immigration enforcement.
“Let’s be clear about what’s going on here,” Bonta said in a statement. “The President is threatening to yank our funds to improve our roads, keep our planes in the air, prepare for emergencies and protect us from terrorist attacks if the state doesn’t follow his demands.”
“He handles these funds, which have nothing to do with immigration enforcement and the safety of our community, as negotiation tips,” Bonta added.
The lawsuit was filed with a coalition of states against the Department of Transport and Homeland Security, claiming that imposing a new set of conditions across a wide range of grant programs would surpass the administration’s legal authority.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order aimed at identifying and possibly shutting down federal funds for so-called sanctuary cities and states that would limit cooperation between local law enforcement and immigration authorities.
“It’s very easy,” White House spokesman Caroline Leavitt said at a briefing issued the executive order. “As per the law, respect the law and not interfere with federal immigration officials and law enforcement officials simply trying to remove the threat of public safety from our country’s communities.”
City and states on the Trump administration’s list could face criminal and civil rights lawsuits and accusing them of violating assaulters’ influence and corrupt organizational laws.
During Trump’s first term in 2018, California lawmakers passed the pioneering sanctuary law, the California Value Act.
California receives more than $15.7 billion in transportation grants each year to maintain roads, highways, railroads, aviation, bridges and bridges, Bonta’s Office said. This includes $2 billion for transit systems, including buses, commuter rail, trolleys, and ferries.
The state will also receive $20.6 billion in annual Homeland Security Subsidies to respond to terrorist attacks and other catastrophes. These funds include emergency preparation and cybersecurity grants.
However, the state coalition of California, Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island argued that the Trump administration cannot impose standards that force the state to comply with its vision of enforcement, as funds for such grants are not involved in immigration enforcement.
“President Trump has no authority to illegally force state and local governments to use their resources for federal immigration enforcement, and his latest attempt to bully them to do so is blatantly illegal,” Bonta said.
This story will be updated.
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