The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has dropped its appeal of a court decision barring the federal government from cutting off transportation-related funding to so-called sanctuary states—where law enforcement agencies are restricted from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
The DOJ filed its motion to dismiss the appeal on Jan. 13, before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued a ruling. The move concludes a legal battle brought by California and 21 other states over whether the Trump administration may tie federal funds used to build and maintain roads, bridges, and highways to state immigration policies.
At stake are tens of billions of taxpayer dollars the states receive from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). According to the complaint, based on the actual amounts received in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 and projected awards for fiscal years 2024 through 2026, the suing states expect to receive about $24.3 billion on average each year in highway formula funds alone….
DOJ Ends Appeal in Lawsuit Over Transportation Money Cut to Sanctuary States
