A federal judge in Rhode Island has accused the Trump administration of trying to “bully” states into accepting conditions that require cooperation on immigration enforcement actions to obtain disaster funding. U.S. District Judge William Smith ruled that such actions were unconstitutional.
In a recent summary judgment, Judge Smith maintained that the Department of Homeland Security could not impose these conditions. Despite his previous ruling from last month, a group of 20 state Democratic attorneys general argued that the agency persisted in attaching these conditions to disaster grants, including clauses that suggested compliance would be required if the ruling was “stayed, vacated, or extinguished.”
Judge Smith ordered Homeland Security to stop enforcing these conditions against plaintiff states, insisting that the agency must rectify its documentation within seven days to remove any references to compliance with federal immigration law.
Furthermore, Judge Smith criticized the agency for its attempts to enforce conditions that his ruling expressly prohibited, emphasizing that the disingenuous nature of the requirement does little to alleviate the coercive intent behind it.
“Defendants’ new condition is not a good faith effort to comply with the order,” Judge Smith stated, remarking that it constitutes a ham-handed attempt to pressure states into agreements they do not need to make.
The states have long relied on federal funding for disaster response and recovery, arguing that the Trump administration's conditions jeopardized funding for crucial projects aimed at managing risks associated with natural disasters, including earthquakes and wildfires.
In response, the Department of Homeland Security argued the conditions were lawful and necessary for funding, hinting at the possibility of appeal. However, the judge's ruling reinforces a crucial limitation on federal power and the protection of state resources without coercion.
