Defend the States Against Federal Funding Coercion

Courts have blocked the administration's attempts to use grant money to force states and cities into immigration enforcement.

A letter to your members of Congress. Facts checked September 24, 2026.

The explainer behind this letter 10th Amendment States' rights, and the rule that Washington can't commandeer states

The Letter

Subject Defend the States Against Federal Funding Coercion

The Supreme Court has held since 1997 that Washington cannot order state and local officers to carry out federal law. That rule protected two sheriffs who challenged orders to run Brady Act background checks, and it protects cities that decline to hold people for ICE today.

Since 2025 the administration has tried to get around it with money. It tied transportation grants to cooperation with ICE and moved to cut $600 million in public health grants to four states over their sanctuary policies. Federal judges blocked both, and the Transportation Department dropped its appeal in January 2026.

Congress controls the purse, so the next attempt may come through a spending bill. Please vote against any provision that conditions federal grants on state or local help with immigration enforcement.

The same rule shields red states and blue states. Please keep it that way no matter which party holds the White House.

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Call Your Representative

U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121

I'm calling to ask the Representative to oppose conditioning federal grants on immigration enforcement.
Since 1997 the Supreme Court has said Washington cannot order state and local officers to carry out federal law.
Federal judges blocked the transportation grant condition and the cut to $600 million in CDC grants to four states.
Please vote against any spending provision that ties federal grants to state or local help with immigration enforcement.

Calls get logged by topic. Volume drives the briefing.

The Facts Behind the Ask

1997 Printz v. United States barred Washington from ordering local sheriffs to run federal background checks (source)
Nov 4, 2025 A federal judge ruled the Transportation Department's immigration grant condition unlawful; the appeal was dropped (source)

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