CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has secured a key legal victory in a multi-state lawsuit against a federal transportation policy that threatened to withhold billions in infrastructure funding unless states complied with immigration enforcement directives from the Trump administration.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Transportation from imposing the controversial rule. The lawsuit was led by Raoul and attorneys general from 19 other states, calling the policy both unconstitutional and dangerous to public safety.
The Issue at Stake: Immigration and Infrastructure
At the center of the case is a policy attempt to tie civil immigration enforcement to federal transportation grants, effectively pressuring states to assist with federal immigration operations or risk losing critical infrastructure money.
“This funding has nothing to do with immigration,” Raoul said. “Trying to hold it hostage unless we do the federal government’s job is unconstitutional and outrageous.”
Last year alone, Illinois received over $2 billion in federal transportation funds — money that goes to support highways, transit systems, public ports, airport safety, and more.
What the Court Decided
U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. granted the injunction, siding with Illinois and its coalition, preventing the federal Department of Transportation from enforcing the rule for now.
According to the complaint, the DOT’s move exceeded its legal authority, trying to force local agencies to participate in immigration-related activities that are clearly the responsibility of federal law enforcement.
This funding is essential to:
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Maintaining roads and bridges statewide
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Expanding mass transit and airport operations
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Preventing traffic deaths and train collisions
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Supporting pedestrian and bike safety projects
Broader Impact on Illinois Communities
Illinois’ leadership in this legal push is also about preserving community trust, especially in cities and towns where residents — including immigrants — rely on local law enforcement and transportation infrastructure to function fairly and safely.
By refusing to link immigration enforcement with infrastructure grants, Illinois and its co-litigants argue they are protecting both civil rights and public safety.
“This is about protecting the trust between law enforcement and our communities,” Raoul said. “We will not allow politics to put lives at risk.”
Who’s Involved in the Lawsuit
In addition to Illinois, the lawsuit is supported by attorneys general from California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and several others.
The group’s unified stance sends a strong message that transportation policy should not be used as a bargaining tool for unrelated political goals.
More information is available via RiverBender’s full report.
Do you think federal funding should be tied to immigration policy? Tell us how you think transportation projects and community safety are connected at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
