Judge blocks Trump plan to tie states' transportation funds to immigration enforcement
NBCJUN 20
Judge Blocks Trump Admin Plan Tying Transport Funds to Immigration
Above: Sean Duffy, U.S. secretary of transportation, speaks June 12, 2025. Image copyright: Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
This is just more judicial overreach by an Obama-appointed judge undermining legitimate federal authority. States receiving federal taxpayer dollars should comply with all federal laws, including immigration enforcement. The DOT has discretion to ensure grant recipients follow the law.
Democratic narrative
This ruling will stop the Trump administration from unconstitutionally using critical infrastructure funding as a bargaining chip for unrelated immigration policies. Congress appropriated transportation funds for roads and bridges, not to force states to abandon their sovereign policing decisions.