Sanctuary cities, characterized by limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), aim to foster community safety by encouraging immigrant cooperation with local law enforcement.

Judge Orrick's decision reinforces the principle that the president cannot unilaterally impose financial penalties on municipalities concerning their immigration policies.

Plaintiffs, including Santa Clara County, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, highlighting its importance for maintaining trust within their communities amidst federal overreach.

This ruling represents another legal setback for President Trump, who has sought to enforce stricter immigration policies since his campaign.

Judge Orrick noted that fears of enforcement among sanctuary jurisdictions have intensified since 2017, referencing similar legal battles from that time.

San Francisco's city attorney criticized the administration for attempting to undermine community trust by threatening essential funding for public services.

A federal judge in California, U.S. District Judge William Orrick, has ruled against the Trump administration's efforts to deny federal funds to sanctuary cities, declaring parts of the administration's executive orders unconstitutional.

The ruling, issued on April 24, 2025, stems from a lawsuit involving 15 plaintiffs from cities and counties including Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, New Haven, and Santa Fe.

San Francisco and over a dozen other municipalities initiated the lawsuit to challenge the executive orders that targeted local immigration cooperation.

This case underscores the ongoing legal conflicts between local governments and the federal administration regarding immigration policy.

The ruling could set a significant precedent for similar legal challenges in jurisdictions across the country.

Overall, this decision is viewed as a significant victory for sanctuary cities, which adopt policies to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation.