A U.S. District Court reaffirmed its order blocking President Donald Trump Administration’s plan to de-fund Santa Clara County and other state and local governments across the nation that it considers “sanctuary jurisdictions,” according to a July 21 press release.
The court denied the federal government’s requests to reconsider the injunction granted by the court in April and to dismiss the case, it continues.
“Once again, the District Court has sent a message to President Trump that he cannot use the threat of withholding funds to coerce local governments into becoming federal immigration operatives—an unconstitutional effort that puts at risk vital services for millions of people across the country,” said Dave Cortese, County Board of Supervisors President.
The county, along with pro bono co-counsel from Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP, was the first jurisdiction in the country to seek emergency relief from President Trump’s January 25 Executive Order, according to the press release. Similar injunctions were later sought by the cities of San Francisco and Richmond.
“Today’s decision strongly reaffirms that President Trump’s ‘Sanctuary Jurisdiction’ Executive Order is unconstitutional at its very core,” said Santa Clara County Counsel James R. Williams. “We are delighted with the court’s well-reasoned and thoughtful decision.”
In its lawsuit, the county argues that the executive order violates the separation of powers, the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause and the Tenth Amendment.
