Fact Check: States Risk Losing Billions if Forced to Comply with Unconstitutional Immigration Conditions
What We Know
In May 2025, a coalition of 20 state attorneys general, led by Colorado's Attorney General Phil Weiser, filed lawsuits against the Trump administration. They allege that the administration is unlawfully coercing states into cooperating with federal immigration enforcement by threatening to withhold billions in federal funding for emergency services and infrastructure projects (source-1). The lawsuits target the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), claiming that the new conditions imposed by these agencies exceed their legal authority and violate constitutional principles (source-2).
The attorneys general argue that these conditions are unconstitutional because the funds were appropriated by Congress for specific purposes unrelated to immigration enforcement. They contend that forcing states to comply with these conditions could jeopardize public safety and infrastructure funding, which is critical for disaster preparedness and response (source-1, source-6).
Analysis
The lawsuits filed by the coalition of attorneys general highlight significant legal and constitutional concerns regarding the Trump administration's actions. The claim that states risk losing billions if they do not comply with these immigration conditions is backed by the assertion that the federal government lacks the authority to impose such conditions on funding that was specifically allocated by Congress for other purposes (source-2).
A federal judge has already ruled against the Trump administration's attempt to enforce these conditions, stating that they cannot require states to assist in immigration enforcement as a condition for receiving transportation funds (source-7). This ruling reinforces the argument that the conditions imposed by FEMA and DOT are not only legally questionable but also potentially harmful to state interests and public safety.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, coming from official state press releases and reputable news outlets. The coalition of attorneys general represents a significant legal challenge to the federal government's actions, indicating a strong consensus among states regarding the perceived overreach of federal authority in immigration enforcement (source-1, source-6).
Conclusion
The claim that states risk losing billions if forced to comply with unconstitutional immigration conditions is True. The legal actions taken by the coalition of attorneys general highlight the serious implications of the Trump administration's policies, which are viewed as overstepping federal authority and potentially endangering essential state funding for emergency services and infrastructure projects.
Sources
- Colorado joins lawsuits against the Trump administration over illegal immigration conditions placed on billions in emergency services and infrastructure projects. Link
- Attorney General Ford Joins Coalition Suing Trump Administration Over Illegal Immigration Conditions Placed on Billions in Federal Funding. Link
- Washington state joins coalition suing Trump administration over illegal conditions placed on billions in federal funding. Link
- Attorney General Tong Sues Trump Administration Over Illegal Immigration Conditions Placed on Billions in Federal Funding. Link
- State Challenges to Federal Enforcement of Immigration Law. Link
- 20 Democratic attorneys general sue Trump administration over illegal immigration funding conditions. Link
- Judge Rules Trump Administration Can't Require States to Help on Immigration to Get Transport Money. Link
- Judge rules Trump administration can't require states to help on immigration to get transport money. Link
