Represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights, the proceeding was held July 17, 2025 on a motion for a preliminary preliminary injunction asking a federal court to block the Trump Administration’s attempts to strip sanctuary cities of federal funding because they refuse to be coerced into participating in the Administration’s mass deportation efforts.
This was following a formal notice issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), designating such cities as
jurisdictions that must change their policies “immediately” or face consequences.
“The President cannot use federal funding as a weapon to force local governments to undermine public safety and participate in his mass deportation efforts,” said Oren Sellstrom, Litigation Director of Lawyers for Civil Rights. “By today’s preliminary injunction motion, we seek to protect sanctuary and welcoming cities, so they can continue to make public safety decisions that are in the best interests of their residents.”
“Today’s hearing was an important step, and I will continue to stand up for our community — for our rights, our safety, and our shared wellbeing,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “When critical funding is at risk by unlawful means, it’s not just about dollars — it’s about the services, support, and the future our residents deserve – as well as the fundamental, constitutional rights of all.”
The lawsuit was filed with the pro bono support of Lawyers for Civil Rights in February 2025, asserting that the Administration’s heavy-handed tactics—threatening to “de-fund” and prosecute cities for failing to bend to the President’s will—violate their Constitutional rights. The June 3 motion asks the court to enjoin any such attempts while the lawsuit proceeds.
Somerville has identified as a sanctuary cities since 1987 recognizing that victims and witnesses are less likely to report crimes if they know that local police are working in concert with federal immigration authorities. By avoiding that entanglement, sanctuary cities improve public safety and quality of life not just for immigrant residents, but for all residents and community members.
Since his inauguration, President Trump has issued a series of Executive Orders threatening to cut off federal funds to sanctuary cities; the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has warned of
criminal and civil prosecutions against them while purporting to freeze all DOJ funding; and the Department of Transportation (DOT) has said it will de-prioritize transportation funding to sanctuary cities, among other actions taken by the Administration. Most recently, on May 29, 2025, DHS published a list of jurisdictions, including Somerville, that it claims “obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws” and warned that they must “immediately review and revise their policies” or face consequences.
Somerville received approximately $19.4 million in federal funds to support a variety of community and public safety services in fiscal year 2024, including roadway safety initiatives, homelessness prevention services, and efforts to address and reduce youth tobacco usage and alcohol consumption.
The case is City of Chelsea and City of Somerville v. Trump et al., 1:25-cv-10442 (D. Mass.).
Lawyers for Civil Rights: Oren Sellstrom, osellstrom@lawyersforcivilrights.org