WASHINGTON, D.C. — With a preliminary injunction today, a judge blocked a key part of President Trump’s executive order on interior enforcement.
U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick’s ruling, which applies nationwide, prevents federal officials from cutting off grants to local jurisdictions that do not help carry out federal immigration enforcement responsibilities beyond those already required under federal law.
The executive order’s language suggested that the government’s potential ability to cut off funding from such cities was expansive. But in court, the administration conceded that such authority already existed and is limited to three grant programs.
The full text of the order is available here.
The following is a statement by Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum:
“Today’s ruling is a win for local law enforcement. Police chiefs and sheriffs need the trust of everyone in their communities, including immigrants, to keep all of us safe.
“This decision respects the authority of local jurisdictions to decide what is best for their communities. Carrying out federal immigration responsibilities undermines local law enforcement’s ability to serve and protect. They need immigrants to report crimes and serve as witnesses, not be muted by fear.”