Trump to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities beginning Feb. 1

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his administration will cut funding to sanctuary cities and states with sanctuary policies beginning Feb. 1.

Trump claimed jurisdictions that "protect criminals" fuel fraud and crime. 

What they're saying:

"Starting Feb. 1, we’re not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens," Trump said. "And it breeds fraud and crime and all the other problems that come. So we’re not making any payment to anybody that supports sanctuary," he added.

What is a sanctuary city? 

Dig deeper:

There is no clear definition of a sanctuary jurisdiction, but it is generally understood to apply to state and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

After releasing a list of these jurisdictions back in May 2025, DHS said it took into account "factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens."

Judge blocks previous attempt to cut funding 

The backstory:

The Trump administration previously attempted to cut funding to sanctuary jurisdictions, but it was denied by a federal judge in April 2025. 

U.S. District Judge William Orrick of California said Trump’s executive orders were unconstitutional.

Orrick wrote that defendants are prohibited "from directly or indirectly taking any action to withhold, freeze, or condition federal funds" and the administration must provide written notice of his order to all federal departments and agencies.

Local perspective:

Leaders of sanctuary jurisdictions say their communities are safer because immigrants feel they can communicate with local police without fear of deportation. It is also a way for municipalities to focus their dollars on crime locally, they say.