President Trump delivers on his campaign promise to stop rewarding lawless sanctuary jurisdictions that shield criminals from federal immigration enforcement, setting February 1 as the deadline to halt all federal payments.
Story Highlights
- Trump announces complete funding cutoff for sanctuary cities and states starting February 1, 2026
- Policy expands beyond cities to include entire states like California, New York, Washington, and Illinois
- Democrat leaders in Chicago, NYC, and Seattle vow legal challenges despite past court failures
- Move follows DHS identification of 36 sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse immigration cooperation
Trump Takes Decisive Action Against Sanctuary Policies
President Donald Trump announced January 13, 2026, during his Economic Club of Detroit speech that federal payments to sanctuary cities and states will cease February 1, 2026. Trump declared “We’re not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states because they protect criminals” at the expense of American citizens. This represents the most comprehensive funding threat against sanctuary jurisdictions to date, expanding beyond individual cities to encompass entire states harboring these policies.
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA2i7VYeD94
Sanctuary Policies Undermine Federal Immigration Law
Sanctuary jurisdictions limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement by restricting local police from honoring federal detainers or sharing information about undocumented immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security identified approximately 36 sanctuary jurisdictions in May 2025, including California, New York, Seattle, and Chicago, based on their non-compliance with federal immigration enforcement. These policies prevent federal authorities from apprehending criminals who have entered the country illegally, creating safe havens for lawbreakers while endangering law-abiding Americans.
Democrat Leaders Prepare Predictable Legal Resistance
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson immediately labeled the funding cuts “blatantly unconstitutional and immoral,” signaling another round of legal challenges from Democrat-controlled jurisdictions. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani vowed to “defend NYC values against federal threats,” while Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck announced plans for a March committee meeting on immigration and funding impacts. Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown awaits implementation details, citing past lawsuit victories against similar federal actions, though these victories have only delayed enforcement rather than addressing the underlying constitutional issues.
President Trump vows to cut funds for sanctuary cities https://t.co/IsGiipx9FJ
— USA TODAY Politics (@usatodayDC) January 14, 2026
Courts Previously Blocked Enforcement Through Liberal Activism
Federal courts have consistently blocked Trump’s attempts to withhold funding from sanctuary jurisdictions, including a 2017 effort during his first term and April 2025 orders struck down by U.S. District Judge William Orrick of California. Judge Orrick issued an injunction against the 2025 executive orders, while another federal judge blocked funding denials to over 30 cities in August 2025. These judicial interventions have prevented the federal government from enforcing immigration law compliance, demonstrating how activist courts have prioritized local political preferences over constitutional federal authority and immigration enforcement.
The funding cuts could significantly impact sanctuary jurisdictions, with Seattle alone receiving approximately $120 million in federal grants for transportation, housing, and nutrition programs. Trump told reporters the impact will be “significant” without specifying exact amounts, while sanctuary cities brace for potential service disruptions as the February 1 deadline approaches.
Sources:
Trump to Cut Federal Funding to Sanctuary Cities Beginning Feb. 1
President Trump Announces Sanctuary States Funding Cuts
Trump Threatens to Halt Federal Money This Month to Sanctuary Cities
President Trump Says Federal Government Will No Longer Fund Sanctuary Cities
