San Francisco has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's recent directives impacting sanctuary cities, claiming the federal government is unlawfully coercing local officials. The case addresses two executive orders from the U.S. Department of Justice that threaten to withhold federal funds and prosecute officials who impede immigration enforcement. City Attorney David Chiu stated, "This is the federal government coercing local officials to bend to their will or face defunding or prosecution, and that is illegal or authoritarian," as echoed in reports from LA Times and Reuters. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues that the directives violate constitutional rights, states' rights, and due process, aiming to protect the funding that San Francisco and other sanctuary cities rely on. Cities including Portland, Oregon, and New Haven, Connecticut, are also part of this multi-jurisdictional legal effort. Underlying these legal actions is a memo from the Justice Department warning that local jurisdictions resisting federal immigration commands endanger public safety and national security. This has intensified fears within immigrant communities, as local jurisdictions could face severe financial repercussions if they do not comply. San Francisco, which receives substantial federal funding—approximately $3.1 billion overall—expressed that the withdrawal of these funds could drastically hinder funding for crucial services. Chiu also highlighted previous successful lawsuits against the Trump administration regarding similar issues, noting that local jurisdictions have a right to operate independently in ensuring resident safety without federal interference. "No one is interfering with the federal government’s ability to do its job," Chiu insisted in a statement covered by SFGate. As tensions mount once again around the immigration debate, this legal battle showcases the ongoing pushback from various local governments against federal immigration policies that they view as overreaching. The coalition, which includes Santa Clara County, aims to uphold sanctuary laws that protect immigrant communities from deportation and unlawful detainment while advocating for local governance autonomy against federal mandates.