Two federal judges on Friday issued temporary orders preventing the Trump administration from unilaterally attaching new conditions to hundreds of millions of dollars in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants awarded to major U.S. cities and counties.
What the courts ordered
In San Jose, U.S. District Judge William Orrick barred the administration from imposing new terms on more than $350 million in DHS grants that affect more than two dozen jurisdictions across California, Washington and Arizona. In Chicago, U.S. District Judge Manish Shah entered a separate order temporarily blocking similar conditions on over $100 million in funding for New York, Boston and several other municipalities.
Why the judges intervened
Both judges concluded the administration likely exceeded its authority when it issued executive orders that would cut off DHS funding to local governments unless they ended programs supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and otherwise complied with presidential directives. Judge Orrick additionally enjoined conditions that would require local governments to assist federal immigration enforcement or to stop providing benefits to immigrants who are in the country without legal authorization.
Who sued and what they say
San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego were among the jurisdictions that sued the administration in California on September 30. The lawsuit, led by Santa Clara County, says the plaintiff governments represent roughly 30 million people and collectively have more than $350 million in DHS and FEMA grants at stake.
Separately, New York, Boston, Chicago and five other local governments filed a related suit on October 20 challenging the diversity-related conditions. Both complaints allege the federal government has threatened to criminally prosecute or claw back funds from localities that accept DHS grants but decline to comply with the new executive orders.
Impact and context
Local governments say the grants are used to hire and train first responders, fund search-and-rescue operations, and prepare for and recover from disasters and large public events — including preparations for Super Bowl LX and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Jill Habig, chief executive of the Public Rights Project, which represents the California plaintiffs, said the rulings help safeguard resources communities depend on for disaster prevention and recovery.
The orders are temporary injunctions; further litigation will determine whether the administration can ultimately impose the contested conditions.
