Washington – California. General Rob Bonta filed two lawsuits Tuesday challenging the Trump administration’s policy that would deny state billions of dollars in transportation grants unless it follows government leadership over immigration enforcement.
“Let's be clear about what's going on here,” Bonta said in a statement. “The president threatens to tighten funds to improve our roads, keep the airplanes in the air, prepare for emergencies and prevent terrorist attacks if the states do not meet his requirements.”
“He is taking the funds, which have nothing to do with immigration enforcement, but with the security of our community, and it's a bargaining chip,” Bonta added.
The lawsuits were filed with state alliances against the Department of Transportation and Homeland Security, who argued that imposing new conditions in a broad grant program exceeded the government’s legal authority.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order to identify and potentially cut federal funds to so-called sanctuary cities and states, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and immigration authorities.
“It's simple,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a briefing announcing the executive order. “Abide by the law, respect the law, and do not hinder federal immigration officials and law enforcement officers when just trying to expel public safety threats from our nation’s communities.”
Cities and states found themselves on the Trump administration’s roster may also face criminal and civil rights lawsuits, as well as allegations of breaches hitters affected and corrupt organizations.
During Trump’s first semester in 2018, California lawmakers passed a groundbreaking asylum law, the California Value Act.
California receives more than $15.7 billion in transportation grants annually to maintain roads, highways, railroads, aviation and bridges, Bonta's office said. This includes $2 billion for transportation systems, including buses, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries.
The state also received $200.6 billion in annual homeland security grants to prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks and other disasters. These funds include emergency preparedness and cybersecurity grants.
But the National Alliance — California, Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island — believes that because such grants have no link to immigration enforcement, the Trump administration cannot impose standards that force compliance with its law enforcement vision.
“President Trump has no right to illegally force state and local governments to use their resources to conduct federal immigration enforcement, and his latest attempt to bully them to do so is a blatant illegal violation,” Bonta said.
This story will be updated.
