The data-gathering request is the latest in a series of Trump administration actions targeting Democratic-controlled states over immigration policy. It follows a court-blocked attempt to withhold child care and safety-net funding and reflects an escalating campaign to pressure jurisdictions resisting his immigration enforcement priorities.
President Donald Trump’s budget office this week ordered most federal agencies to compile data on the federal money sent to 14 mostly Democratic-controlled states and the District of Columbia. According to a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the administration described the effort as a tool to “reduce the improper and fraudulent use of those funds.”
The order comes one week after Trump said he intended to cut off federal funding to states harboring “sanctuary cities” that resist his immigration policies, with the threatened action to begin Feb. 1. Trump has not disclosed implementation details.
Targeting Pattern Aligns With Prior Sanctuary-Jurisdiction Lists
Most of the states targeted—14 of 15—were previously identified by the administration as sanctuary jurisdictions or contain at least one locality with such a designation. In Virginia, newly elected Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger rescinded a law-enforcement cooperation directive with immigration officials as one of her first acts after taking office Saturday.
The targeted jurisdictions are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia. All but Minnesota are controlled by Democratic legislatures, and all but Vermont have Democratic governors.
Notably absent from the list are some fully Democratic-controlled states like Hawaii, Maryland, and New Mexico, which do not appear on the administration’s prior sanctuary-jurisdiction mapping.
Data Request Limited to Compilation — For Now
The memo characterizes the effort as “a data-gathering exercise only” that “does not involve withholding funds.” Agencies must submit requested information to the president’s budget office by Jan. 28.
The request covers grants, loans, and other federal funds provided to targeted states and local governments, as well as institutions of higher education and nonprofits. The memo exempts the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, and excludes direct payments to individuals such as federal student aid.
Trump, however, suggested the data may lay groundwork for future action. At a White House news conference the same day the memo was sent—Tuesday—he reiterated his intent to restrict funding to sanctuary cities. “We’re not going to pay them anymore,” Trump said. “They are sanctuary for criminals. They can sue us and maybe they’ll win, but we’re not giving money to sanctuary cities anymore.”
Pattern Follows Earlier Court-Blocked Funding Actions
The data compilation is the latest Trump administration step to pressure Democratic-controlled states over immigration enforcement. Earlier this month, the administration attempted to withhold federal funds for child care subsidies and safety-net assistance in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York, citing fraud concerns. A federal judge blocked that effort.
The current request extends what the administration characterizes as scrutiny of federal fund use in states it views as uncooperative on immigration enforcement. Sanctuary policies—which limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—have become a central focus of federal pressure.