Court Blocks Unlawful Immigration Enforcement Demands on Transportation Funds

A federal court has permanently blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to attach immigration enforcement requirements to billions of dollars in federal transportation funding, according to an announcement from Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. The ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island grants a permanent injunction, preventing the U.S. Department of Transportation from imposing these conditions, which the court found to be unlawful and beyond the administration’s authority.

The legal challenge was initiated by Attorney General Brown and a coalition of states, following a preliminary injunction that had already halted the administration’s actions. The court’s final decision asserted that the Trump administration had “blatantly overstepped their statutory authority, violated the APA, and transgressed well-settled constitutional limitations on federal funding conditions.” The ruling emphasizes that the Constitution requires such unlawful actions to be overturned.

Maryland, like other states, relies significantly on federal transportation funding to maintain and develop its infrastructure. The state receives over $1 billion annually from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This funding is crucial for the upkeep and improvement of roads, highways, railways, airways, and bridges that are essential for daily commutes, commerce, and connectivity within communities. The funding also supports a wide range of public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys, and ferries that serve both urban and rural areas. The court’s decision confirms that the intended purpose of this vital funding is solely for transportation infrastructure and services, and is not linked to immigration enforcement.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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