A federal judge in San Francisco signaled Wednesday he will block the Trump administration from attaching new immigration and DEI conditions to public safety grants — a decision that could affect billions in federal funding to cities and counties across the West.
U.S. District Judge William Orrick told lawyers he sees “no problem” with claims that executive orders targeting diversity programs and sanctuary policies violate the Constitution when used to restrict already-allocated grant money. The preliminary injunction would stop the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice from enforcing the conditions while litigation continues.
What Cities Are Fighting Over
California and Oregon municipalities sued after the administration attached new strings to federal grants for police departments, public health programs, and environmental projects. The conditions require recipients to cooperate with immigration enforcement and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs — policies the cities say weren’t part of the original grant agreements approved by Congress.
The cities argue they already budgeted for these programs based on federal commitments. Pulling funding now, they say, forces impossible choices between core services and compliance with executive orders that exceed presidential authority.
Judge Sees Constitutional Problems
Orrick, appointed by President Obama, indicated the administration likely overstepped by using grant conditions to enforce policies Congress never authorized. The Constitution gives Congress, not the president, power over federal spending. Courts have repeatedly ruled that executive agencies can’t add major new conditions to grants after appropriation.
The judge expressed more skepticism about claims involving Interior Department grants, noting that no Northern District municipalities had actually applied for those funds. Santa Cruz mentioned Interior grants but provided insufficient detail about which programs it sought.
What Happens Next
Orrick will issue a written order on the preliminary injunction, likely within days. If he blocks enforcement as expected, hundreds of municipalities could continue receiving federal funds without meeting the Trump administration’s new immigration and DEI requirements — at least until the underlying legal questions are resolved at trial.
The administration could appeal immediately to the Ninth Circuit, which has jurisdiction over California, Oregon, Washington, and six other Western states. Any injunction would apply only to the plaintiff cities unless expanded to a nationwide order.
Key Points
- Federal judge will likely issue preliminary injunction blocking new grant conditions from Homeland Security and Justice departments
- California and Oregon cities argue Trump administration illegally attached immigration and DEI requirements to already-allocated funds
- Ruling could affect billions in federal funding while constitutional questions proceed to trial
https://www.courthousenews.com/california-oregon-municipalities-ask-to-block-trumps-dei-immigration-grant-conditions/ – June 18, 2026
