St. Paul Joins San Francisco Lawsuit Challenging President’s Threats to Withhold Federal Funds

Mayor Melvin Carter announced signing on to a lawsuit filed by the City of San Francisco challenging the legality of a recent executive order on February 26. 

Carter said the executive order illegally withholds federal funds to force local law enforcement jurisdictions to act as federal immigration agents, giving federal officials the ability to impose civil or criminal actions against those jurisdictions if they refuse. 

“We are taking action to ensure the continuity of local services that receive federal funding, but more importantly to preserve and protect the basic covenant that our residents and businesses who contribute millions in hard earned tax dollars to our federal tax base have a right to benefit from the federal funding that they provide,” said Mayor Carter. “We do not accept the proposal of this executive order unlawfully holding hostage federal funds as ransom against an unlawful political demand.” 

The City of St. Paul relies on about $260 million in receivable federal funding to support critical investments in emergency response, infrastructure, housing and public services—about $192.2 million of which is currently under contract. Of those dollars already under contract, roughly $139.4 million accounts for one-time capital investment projects and the remaining $52.7 million supports ongoing programs and department operations.  

Another $66.8 million is in the post-award phase of establishing workplans and executing contracts. The city has also applied for an additional $66.1 million in federal grants. 

Some of the major initial impacts include: 

• A combined $7.3 million in nearly completed construction for Como Park Zoo & Conservatory geothermal upgrades and the North End Community Center 
• Interruption in the 10-year plan to replace 26,000 lead service lines 
• Loss of 28,400 high school intern hours with the city’s year-round Right Track program 
• Delay of approximately 1,800 trees scheduled to be planted, and 1,100 stumps planned for removal over five years 
• $3 million in redevelopment grants for new affordable housing and business and economic development 
• Cuts to emergency response and public safety training programs and personnel 
• Cuts to supports for unsheltered work 

In 2004, the city adopted a separation ordinance that ensures all residents are granted full access to city services regardless of immigration status. The ordinance also states that no city employee is responsible, nor are they authorized, to enforce federal immigration policies.