• A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against Trump’s funding restrictions on sanctuary cities.
• The lawsuit includes 16 jurisdictions led by San Francisco, asserting that federal threats undermine local authority.
• Judge William Orrick ruled that the executive orders are likely unconstitutional.
• The ruling reflects similar decisions made during Trump’s first term regarding immigration enforcement.
• Local officials express concerns over the implications for public safety and community trust.

A federal judge in California has blocked the Trump administration from withholding federal funds from “sanctuary” jurisdictions, citing that elements of the executive orders issued by President Trump are likely unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge William Orrick issued this preliminary injunction at the request of San Francisco and 15 other jurisdictions that have sued the administration for attempting to enforce stringent immigration measures, which they argue infringe upon their rights to govern locally according to their community needs, according to Reuters and HuffPost.

Judge Orrick emphasized that the expected harm from withholding federal funds involves "irreparable injury" as municipalities work to maintain public trust and their operational budgets. He stated, "The threat to withhold funding causes them irreparable injury in the form of budgetary uncertainty," according to The Hill and CBS News.

The lawsuit also highlights the long-standing conflict over immigration enforcement, with the jurisdictions, including notable cities like Seattle and Minneapolis, arguing that current policies inhibit their ability to create safe conditions for all residents—including undocumented immigrants. Judge Orrick's ruling is reminiscent of the judges' past actions against similar executive orders during Trump’s presidency, reinforcing the authority of local governments against federal overreach, according to Los Angeles Times and CBS News.