Judge bars Trump from denying funds to ‘sanctuary’ cities like Seattle

A federal judge in California took action Thursday to stop the Trump administration from denying federal funds to cities like Seattle because of their policies on immigration enforcement.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick issued an injunction in the case led by San Francisco, siding with more than a dozen local governments that sued earlier this year over executive orders targeting so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions that limit their own involvement with immigration enforcement.

The local governments suing in California say portions of President Donald Trump’s orders are unconstitutional. Seattle and King County joined the lawsuit in February, with City Attorney Ann Davison raising concerns about the potential loss of federal funds and calling Trump’s orders “federal overreach.”

Orrick’s ruling “is an important win for Seattle and reaffirms that the federal government may not withhold, freeze, or condition critical funding based on unlawful and arbitrary determinations,” Davison said in a written statement Thursday.

Seattle, King County and Washington state all prohibit local agencies from assisting federal immigration agents, with certain narrow exceptions.

“I’m pleased the federal court recognized that Trump’s unlawful order to defund public safety grants and withhold other federal funds based on our local policies is unconstitutional,” Mayor Bruce Harrell added in a written statement. “Local policies should be informed by local values, not federal threats and posturing. We will continue to stand up for our city, our people, and our shared values.”

One of Trump’s executive orders directs U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold federal money to such jurisdictions. Another tells all federal agencies to ensure their funds don’t support “policies that seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation.”

The Trump administration has also released memos threatening civil and criminal prosecutions against local officials who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

At a hearing Wednesday, Trump administration lawyers argued it was too early for the judge to grant an injunction, because the administration hasn’t actually put the “sanctuary” orders into practice yet by trying to withhold specific amounts of money from particular jurisdictions. Orrick disagreed, citing a “well-founded fear of enforcement.” The judge, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, pointed to a similar case during Trump’s first presidency.

There’s no strict legal definition for sanctuary cities or sanctuary policies, but the terms usually refer to limits placed on local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That federal agency sometimes seeks local help in identifying and holding people wanted for deportation.

Leaders of jurisdictions like Seattle and King County say their communities are safer when immigrants can talk to local police without fear of deportation. They say immigration enforcement is the federal government’s responsibility.

“We are very pleased with Judge Orrick’s ruling to enjoin the Trump administration from withholding funds based on our jurisdiction status,” Shannon Braddock, the acting King County executive, said in a written statement Thursday. “The courage to fight for our convictions is what defines us.”

Seattle prefers the term “welcoming city” and participated in court battles over the same issue during Trump’s first presidency.

In 2023, the city spent about $200 million in federal funds as part of its $7 billion budget, including about $50 million in COVID relief dollars that have mostly fallen away.

This story contains material from The Associated Press and Seattle Times archives.