A federal judge in Seattle has denied the Trump administration’s attempt to quash a challenge by Seattle and Portland to President Trump’s executive order that financially punishes sanctuary cities.
“The Executive Order fails to provide an adequate nexus between its immigration-related enforcement conditions and grants of funds, especially in light of evidence that Plaintiffs require federal funding for various essentials unrelated to immigration, including infrastructure, healthcare, and affordable housing,” ruled U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones.
Seattle first sued in late March, arguing that denying the City federal funds is unconstitutional under the 10th Amendment and the Spending Clause. Three months later, the complaint was amended to include Portland as a plaintiff.
Judge Jones noted in his order that “Both Seattle and Portland rely heavily on federal funds for their budgets.” “Between both capital and operating [Seattle] will receive over $155 million from the federal government in 2017,” he wrote, while Portland expects to receive nearly $49 million in federal funds.
City Attorney Pete Holmes, whose office pursued the lawsuit on behalf of City’s executive and legislative branches, said, “Seattle is committed to rebuffing the Trump administration’s unconstitutional efforts to coerce us into supporting its divisive and un-American anti-immigrant policies. It’s my job to lead that fight on behalf of the City in the courtroom. I am pleased Judge Jones is allowing our lawsuit to proceed so we can continue to promote Seattle’s values as a city that’s welcoming to all.”
“I am pleased by today’s ruling and proud that Seattle is continuing the fight to protect our values,” said Mayor Tim Burgess. “The Trump administration’s attacks on so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ are divisive, wrong, and unconstitutional. Diversity makes this city stronger, more prosperous, and culturally rich. Seattle will continue to stand up for all of its residents and push back against dangerous efforts to demonize them.”
The judge’s ruling is replete with evidence of President Trump’s goal, both during the 2016 campaign and since the election, to deprive sanctuary cities of federal largess. He said the president specifically referred to Seattle as a sanctuary city, “and [he] said that ‘sanctuary cities are out…sanctuary cities are over.”
Further, Judge Jones quoted the President’s press secretary as “insist[ing] that ‘the President is going to do everything he can within the scope of the executive order to make sure that cities who don’t comply with it—counties and other institutions that remain sanctuary cities don’t get federal government funding in compliance with the executive order.’” The press secretary further stated that the government would “strip federal grant money from sanctuary states and cities that harbor illegal immigrants,” the order quoted.