Fact Check: 20 States Sue Trump Over Transportation Funding Tied to Immigration Enforcement
What We Know
A coalition of 20 Democratic state attorneys general has indeed filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, claiming that it is threatening to withhold billions of dollars in federal transportation and disaster-relief funds unless states comply with certain immigration enforcement actions. This legal action stems from a directive issued by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in April 2025, which requires states to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement to receive federal grants that have already been approved by Congress (AP News, Axios).
The states involved in the lawsuit include California, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and several others, totaling 20 states. The lawsuits argue that the Trump administration's actions violate the U.S. Constitution by attempting to dictate federal spending, a power that resides solely with Congress (PBS, New York Times).
Analysis
The lawsuits filed by the 20 states are grounded in the assertion that the Trump administration's directive is not only unconstitutional but also arbitrary and capricious. The states argue that withholding funds based on compliance with immigration policies undermines congressional authority, as Congress is the body that appropriates funds for transportation projects (GovExec, Reuters).
Critics of the directive, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, have characterized the administration's actions as using federal funds as a bargaining chip to enforce its immigration agenda (AP News). This perspective is supported by statements from the attorneys general involved, who emphasize that the administration's threats to cut off funding are not only politically motivated but could also have dire consequences for public safety and infrastructure (PBS).
On the other hand, the Trump administration, represented by officials like Secretary Duffy, argues that the directive is simply a means to ensure states comply with federal immigration laws. They assert that states that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement should not receive federal funding (Axios, CBS News). However, this argument has been met with skepticism in court, particularly regarding the administration's authority to impose such conditions on funding (GovExec).
Conclusion
The claim that "20 states sue Trump over transportation funding tied to immigration enforcement" is True. The lawsuits filed by the coalition of states clearly articulate their challenge against the Trump administration's directive linking federal funding to immigration enforcement compliance. The legal basis for the lawsuits rests on constitutional grounds, asserting that the executive branch cannot dictate terms for congressional appropriated funds. The ongoing legal proceedings will further clarify the extent of the administration's authority in this matter.
Sources
- US judge blocks Trump plan to tie states' transportation funds to immigration enforcement
- Judge grills DOJ official on order tying transportation funding to immigration enforcement
- 20 Democratic attorneys general sue Trump administration over immigration funding conditions
- 20 States Sue Trump Over Immigration Demands and Threats to Cut Funding
- 20 states sue Trump admin over immigration enforcement funding
- Trump administration can't require states to cooperate with ICE to get transportation funding
- 20 states sue Trump administration over conditions placed on federal funding
