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NY attorney general sues DHS over threat to withhold disaster relief funds
By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 13, 2025
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 13, 2025
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New York Attorney General Letitia James and 19 other state attorneys general are suing the federal government to stop it from withholding emergency preparedness and disaster relief funds from states that don’t comply with Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
The multistate lawsuit filed on Tuesday targets new conditions set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that the attorneys general said unlawfully tie disaster relief funding to states’ participation in civil immigration enforcement.
The 79-page legal challenge follows Trump's recent calls for the elimination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which distributes emergency relief funds to states. Earlier this month, the administration replaced FEMA’s head with a DHS official, further intensifying concerns among state officials.
The attorneys general claimed the administration had taken steps in recent months to pressure states into supporting Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.
According to the lawsuit, that includes demands that states dedicate law enforcement resources to immigration enforcement and terminate any programs the administration deems to “benefit” undocumented immigrants or “incentivize” illegal immigration.
The lawsuit asked the court to declare DHS’ new funding conditions unlawful and to ensure that states can continue to access disaster relief funds regardless of their stance on immigration enforcement.
“DHS is holding states hostage by forcing them to choose between disaster preparedness and enabling the administration’s illegal and chaotic immigration agenda,” James said in a statement on Tuesday. “This funding is vital to keeping New Yorkers safe during hurricanes, floods and other catastrophes. The federal government cannot weaponize disaster relief to coerce states into abandoning public safety and community trust.
Other states joining the lawsuit included attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin and Vermont.
James’ office said that multiple programs are at risk under the proposed DHS policy, including the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps protect religious and community institutions from extremist attacks. New York received $44 million in NSGP funding last year, much of it allocated to synagogues and Jewish day schools facing heightened antisemitic threats.
Other at-risk programs include those that support flood mitigation, 24/7 search and rescue operations and housing for disaster survivors, according to James’ office.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tagged
new york state
Politics
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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