Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration from Conditioning $350M in DHS Grants to Cities and Counties

04:14 AM, 11/22/2025

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from imposing new conditions on more than $350 million in DHS grants to over two dozen cities and counties in California, Washington and Arizona. Judge William Orrick found the administration likely violated federal law by tying funding to cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and other directives. The plaintiffs — including San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego — represent about 30 million people and say the grants fund first responders, search-and-rescue, disaster recovery and preparations for major events.

By Dietrich Knauth

A federal judge on Friday issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from unilaterally attaching new conditions to more than $350 million in Department of Homeland Security grants awarded to over two dozen cities and counties across California, Washington and Arizona.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick in San Francisco found the administration likely violated federal law when it issued executive orders that would have cut DHS funding to local governments unless they cooperated with federal immigration enforcement, ended programs promoting diversity, denied certain benefits to undocumented immigrants, and complied with other presidential directives.

What the injunction means

The order pauses those restrictions while the court considers legal challenges brought by the affected jurisdictions. Plaintiffs — including the cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego and Santa Clara County as lead plaintiff — say the grants are essential for hiring and training first responders, funding search-and-rescue operations, supporting disaster recovery and preparing for major events such as Super Bowl LX and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The jurisdictions named in the lawsuit represent roughly 30 million residents and say they collectively face the potential loss of more than $350 million in federal grant funding. The complaint also alleges the federal government threatened criminal prosecution or clawbacks of funds from localities that accept DHS money but refuse to follow the new executive orders.

The injunction is temporary; the court will next consider the merits of the legal challenges in further proceedings. Local officials sought emergency relief to prevent immediate disruption to public-safety and disaster-preparedness programs.

Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration from Conditioning $350M in DHS Grants to Cities and Counties

What the injunction means

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