CALIFORNIA — Attorney General Rob Bonta announced September 30 that a court order blocks FEMA from shifting Homeland Security funds away from California.
On September 27, FEMA issued award notices for its largest grant program, the Homeland Security Grant Program.
California was projected to receive about $165 million, but the award came in at $110 million — a 33% cut.
Bonta and a coalition of states sued the Trump Administration, alleging the reductions were tied to jurisdictions labeled as “sanctuary” for declining to prioritize immigration enforcement.
He said the grant funding at stake is used to protect the safety of California communities from acts of terrorism and other disasters.
“…the stakes are quite literally life and death,” Bonta said.
Federal court blocks Trump from tying immigration enforcement to grants
The dispute follows a January 20, 2025, directive by President Trump ordering DHS to withhold federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions.
Last week, a federal court in Rhode Island permanently blocked the Trump Administration from tying immigration enforcement to billions in DHS grants.
Despite those rulings, Bonta said DHS and FEMA continue efforts to carry out the President’s directive.
He argues the reallocation violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution.
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