Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, alongside a coalition of 20 attorneys general, has initiated two lawsuits against the Trump Administration. The legal actions challenge the administration's attempts to withhold federal funding unless states redirect resources towards federal civil immigration enforcement.
The first lawsuit targets the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The second is directed at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy. Both agencies have imposed conditions that could result in withholding billions in federal funding for public safety and transportation infrastructure unless states comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Attorney General Platkin criticized these measures, stating, "Instead of working together with us to keep our communities safe, the Trump Administration is playing political games and threatening to withhold billions of dollars of federal funding that are critical for public safety." He emphasized that these actions put New Jersey residents at risk by threatening essential funds for law enforcement and infrastructure.
Congress has established numerous programs through FEMA and DOT to support projects ranging from terrorism protection to disaster relief and infrastructure development. New Jersey receives over $2 billion annually from these programs, which are now jeopardized by the administration's conditions.
In February, Secretary Noem instructed DHS to halt funding to jurisdictions not assisting in enforcing federal immigration laws. Subsequently, DOT Secretary Duffy announced similar requirements for state compliance as a condition for receiving DOT funds.
The lawsuits argue that these conditions exceed FEMA's legal authority and violate constitutional provisions since Congress appropriated funds specifically for disaster preparedness and infrastructure projects without such stipulations.
Joining Attorney General Platkin are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island Washington Wisconsin Vermont
