Case: State of California v. United States Department of Transportation

1:25-cv-00208 | U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Filed Date: May 13, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On April 24, 2025, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy issued a letter (the "Duffy Directive") announcing a policy to impose an "Immigration Enforcement Condition" (IEC) on all DOT funding, requiring recipients to "cooperate with Federal officials in the enforcement of... Federal immigration law." This case challenges that policy. On May 13, 2025, twenty-one Plaintiff States filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island against the DOT a…

On April 24, 2025, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy issued a letter (the "Duffy Directive") announcing a policy to impose an "Immigration Enforcement Condition" (IEC) on all DOT funding, requiring recipients to "cooperate with Federal officials in the enforcement of... Federal immigration law." This case challenges that policy.

On May 13, 2025, twenty-one Plaintiff States filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island against the DOT and Secretary Duffy. Plaintiffs asserted that Defendants had threatened to withhold vital transportation funds unless the states diverted criminal enforcement and other agency resources to federal civil immigration enforcement. Plaintiffs argued this funding condition violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Spending Clause, and exceeded executive authority, citing the directive's lack of statutory basis and the absence of any DOT funding statutes linking transportation funds to state participation in immigration enforcement. The case was assigned to Judge John James McConnell, Jr.

On May 22, 2025, Plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction to block the enforcement of the “Immigration Enforcement Condition.” Judge McConnell Jr. granted the preliminary injunction on June 19, 2025, finding that the Plaintiff States were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims under the Spending Clause and Administrative Procedure Act. 2025 WL 1711531. The court held that the condition was coercive, imposed irreparable harm by threatening billions in federal funding, and intruded on state sovereignty without clear congressional authorization. The order enjoined the Defendants from implementing or enforcing the condition, withholding funds, or taking any adverse action based on state noncompliance, and denied the Defendants’ request to stay the injunction. The court also noted the significant public interest in preventing the IEC from affecting critical infrastructure funding, given a June 20, 2025, deadline for certain grant applications that included the IEC.

On July 8, 2025, the Plaintiff States filed an amended complaint, which added the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Kentucky as plaintiffs. Subsequently, on July 10, the Plaintiff States filed a motion to modify the preliminary injunction to extend its protections to these newly added plaintiffs, which was granted on July 17, 2025. On August 19, 2025, plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment, and a cross-motion by DOT was filed on this date as well. On November 4, 2025, the court granted plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment, holding that the IEC is arbitrary and capricious per the Administrative Procedure Act, and granting a permanent injunction.

Two weeks later, the court clarified that the injunction extends to all 22 Plaintiff States and all instrumentalities and local subdivisions within those States. It wrote: "Defendants are ordered to (1) remove all conditions requiring cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement from future grant agreements administered by Defendants, and (2) issue a notice to grant recipients stating that U.S. DOT will not include (or consider void and stricken, to the extent they already exist) any conditions requiring cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement in any grant agreements administered by Defendants."

On January 2, 2026, the government appealed. The case is ongoing. 

Summary Authors

Nithya Arun (10/10/2025)

Scott Shuchart (5/14/2025)

Victoria Tan (7/19/2025)

Clearinghouse (1/14/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70251998/parties/state-of-california-v-united-states-department-of-transportation/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Abdelmesih, Maryanne M.

Aggarwal, Surinder K.

Brewer, Robert Newman (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Defendant

Bloom, Sara Miron (Rhode Island)

Bolan, Kevin M.

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other
Attorney for Plaintiff

Abdelmesih, Maryanne M.

Aggarwal, Surinder K.

Brewer, Robert Newman (Rhode Island)

Carter, Brian S. (Rhode Island)

Castelli, Thomas H. (Rhode Island)

Chien, Marsha Jade (Rhode Island)

Colbert, Frances None (Rhode Island)

Day, David Dana (Rhode Island)

Dirks, Katherine Brady (Rhode Island)

Dittenber, Michael James (Rhode Island)

Dona, Julie Ann (Rhode Island)

Doyle, Brandy (Rhode Island)

Duraiswamy, Shankar (Rhode Island)

Fernandes, Kalikoonalani Diara (Rhode Island)

Fisher, Yael

Freedman, Luke (Rhode Island)

Giovanatti, Neil (Rhode Island)

Harrington, Ben (Rhode Island)

Hemmer, Alex (Rhode Island)

Horan, R. Sam

Kassab, Vanessa L.

Kinkead, Darren Bernens

Knowles, Newton Knowles (Rhode Island)

Ladov, Mark H. (Rhode Island)

Levine, Zoe (Rhode Island)

Liston, Ian R.

Luh, James C. (Rhode Island)

Marrero, Joel (Rhode Island)

Mayo, Steven Travis

Medeiros, Christopher Paul (Rhode Island)

Mikhail, Vivian A.

Muqaddam, Rabia (Rhode Island)

Newman, Michael Louis

Payne, Taylor

Perfrement, Steven (Rhode Island)

Piazza, Alexis

Reich, Mitchell (Rhode Island)

Reynolds, Patrick S (Rhode Island)

Roberts, Tyler S. (Rhode Island)

Rose, Jonathan T. (Rhode Island)

Rubin, Nathaniel

Sabatini, Kathryn M. (Rhode Island)

Saxena, Mayur Prasad (Rhode Island)

Seel, Benjamin M. (Rhode Island)

Sepe, Cristina (Rhode Island)

Sherman, Lee (Rhode Island)

Skold, Michael Kenneth (Rhode Island)

Stanley, James Edward (Rhode Island)

Stern, Heidi Parry (Rhode Island)

Thompson, Julio A (Rhode Island)

Thrift-Viveros, Deylin O (Rhode Island)

Tipton, Laura Crittenden

Tran, Delbert (Rhode Island)

Tresnowski, Michael Mark (Rhode Island)

Vail, Hannah C. (Rhode Island)

Weaver, Robert Henry (Rhode Island)

Wells, Christopher Graham

Wolter, Samuel Perry (Rhode Island)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

1:25-cv-00208

Complaint

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Complaint
57

1:25-cv-00208

Preliminary Injunction

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 1711531

61

1:25-cv-00208

First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Complaint
74

1:25-cv-00208

Memorandum and Order

Nov. 4, 2025

Nov. 4, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 3072541

75

1:25-cv-00208

Judgment

Nov. 4, 2025

Nov. 4, 2025

Order/Opinion

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70251998/state-of-california-v-united-states-department-of-transportation/

Last updated Aug. 30, 2026, 3:58 a.m.

Docket for: State of California v. United States Department of Transportation
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 May 13, 2025

COMPLAINT ( filing fee paid $ 405.00, receipt number ARIDC-2134397 ), filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State of Connecticut, State of Oregon, State of Illinois, State of California, State of Vermont, State of New York, State of Minnesota, State of Colorado, State of New Jersey, State of Hawai'i, People of the State of Michigan, State of Wisconsin, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Delaware, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of Maine, State of Maryland. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit Exhibit H, # 9 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet)(Reynolds, Patrick) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

1 Exhibit Exhibit A

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit Exhibit B

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit Exhibit C

View on RECAP

4 Exhibit Exhibit D

View on RECAP

5 Exhibit Exhibit E

View on RECAP

6 Exhibit Exhibit F

View on RECAP

7 Exhibit Exhibit G

View on RECAP

8 Exhibit Exhibit H

View on RECAP

9 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

Clearinghouse
May 13, 2025

Case assigned to Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. (Simoncelli, Michael)

2 May 13, 2025

CASE OPENING NOTICE ISSUED (Simoncelli, Michael) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

RECAP
3 May 13, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Patrick S Reynolds on behalf of State of Rhode Island (Reynolds, Patrick) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

RECAP
May 14, 2025

TEXT ORDER: Pursuant to LR Gen 101(c), the Court suspends LR Gen 201(a) and any attorney employed by a State or the District of Columbia and is a member in good standing of the bar of another federal district court and each jurisdiction in which that attorney has been admitted may appear and practice in this matter without being admitted pro hac vice. Attorneys appearing on behalf of the States and the District of Columbia are directed to obtain filing privileges via PACER and to enter their appearances. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 5/14/2025. (Simoncelli, Michael)

May 14, 2025

TEXT ORDER: The parties are ordered to show cause by the close of business Monday, May 19, 2025, why this matter should not be consolidated with State of Illinois et al v. Federal Emergency Management Agency et al, C.A. No. 25-cv-206-WES-PAS under Fed. R. Civ. P. 42(a)(2) as the cases appear to involve common questions of law or fact. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 5/14/2025. (Jackson, Ryan)

4 May 14, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Heidi Parry Stern on behalf of State of Nevada (Stern, Heidi) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
5 May 14, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Jonathan T. Rose on behalf of State of Vermont (Rose, Jonathan) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
6 May 14, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by James C. Luh on behalf of State of Maryland (Luh, James) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
7 May 14, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Neil Giovanatti on behalf of People of the State of Michigan (Giovanatti, Neil) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
8 May 14, 2025

AMENDED DOCUMENT by State of Vermont. Amendment to 5 Notice of Appearance CORRECTED. (Rose, Jonathan) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
9 May 14, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Alex Hemmer on behalf of State of Illinois (Hemmer, Alex) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
10 May 14, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Delbert Tran on behalf of State of California (Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
11 May 14, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Robert Henry Weaver on behalf of State of Illinois (Weaver, Robert) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
12 May 14, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Kalikoonalani Diara Fernandes on behalf of State of Hawai'i (Fernandes, Kalikoonalani) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
13 May 14, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by David Dana Day on behalf of State of Hawai'i (Day, David) (Entered: 05/14/2025)

RECAP
14 May 15, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine Brady Dirks on behalf of Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Dirks, Katherine) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

RECAP
15 May 15, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Mayur Prasad Saxena on behalf of State of New Jersey (Saxena, Mayur) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

RECAP
16 May 15, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Steven Perfrement on behalf of State of New Mexico (Perfrement, Steven) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

RECAP
17 May 15, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Frances None Reynolds Colbert on behalf of State of Wisconsin (Reynolds Colbert, Frances) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

RECAP
18 May 16, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Kenneth Skold on behalf of State of Connecticut (Skold, Michael) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

RECAP
19 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael James Dittenber on behalf of People of the State of Michigan (Dittenber, Michael) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
20 May 19, 2025

Summons Request filed by State of Rhode Island. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Request - Duffy)(Reynolds, Patrick) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
21 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Mark Tresnowski on behalf of State of Illinois (Tresnowski, Michael) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
22 May 19, 2025

Summons Issued as to Sean P. Duffy, United States Department of Transportation (Attachments: # 1 Summons)(Hill, Cherelle) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
23 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Lee Sherman on behalf of State of California (Sherman, Lee) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
24 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Newton Knowles, III on behalf of State of California (Knowles, Newton) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
25 May 19, 2025

RESPONSE TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE by State of California. (Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
26 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Samuel Perry Wolter on behalf of State of Colorado (Wolter, Samuel) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
27 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Cristina Sepe on behalf of State of Washington (Sepe, Cristina) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
28 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Benjamin M. Seel on behalf of State of Washington (Seel, Benjamin) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
29 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Marsha Chien on behalf of State of Washington (Chien, Marsha) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
30 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Tyler S. Roberts on behalf of State of Washington (Roberts, Tyler) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
31 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher Paul Kailani Medeiros on behalf of State of California (Medeiros, Christopher) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
32 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Deylin O Thrift-Viveros on behalf of State of California (Thrift-Viveros, Deylin) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
33 May 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Luke Freedman on behalf of State of California (Freedman, Luke) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

RECAP
34 May 20, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Julie Dona on behalf of State of New York (Dona, Julie) (Entered: 05/20/2025)

RECAP
May 20, 2025

TEXT ORDER: The Court has determined at this time that this case should not be consolidated with State of Illinois et al v. Federal Emergency Management Agency et al, C.A. No. 25-cv-206-WES-PAS. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 5/20/2025. (Jackson, Ryan)

35 May 20, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Julio A Thompson on behalf of State of Vermont (Thompson, Julio) (Entered: 05/20/2025)

RECAP
36 May 20, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Mark H. Ladov on behalf of State of New York (Ladov, Mark) (Entered: 05/20/2025)

RECAP
37 May 20, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by James Edward Stanley on behalf of State of California (Stanley, James) (Entered: 05/20/2025)

RECAP
38 May 21, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Rabia Muqaddam on behalf of State of New York (Muqaddam, Rabia) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

RECAP
39 May 21, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Shankar Duraiswamy on behalf of State of New Jersey (Duraiswamy, Shankar) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

RECAP
40 May 21, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Zoe Levine on behalf of State of New York (Levine, Zoe) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

RECAP
43 May 22, 2025

AMENDED DOCUMENT by State of California. Amendment to 42 Exhibit in Support, 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction AMENDED DECLARATION OF SERVICE BY E-MAIL 1. (Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

Clearinghouse
41 May 22, 2025

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 6/5/2025. (Attachments: # 1 PLAINTIFF STATES REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF STATES' MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION)(Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

1 PLAINTIFF STATES REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF STATES

View on RECAP

RECAP
42 May 22, 2025

EXHIBIT IN SUPPORT by All Plaintiffs in support of 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction . (Attachments: # 1 INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION VOLUME II OF II)(Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

1 INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION VOLUM

View on RECAP

RECAP
May 22, 2025

TEXT ORDER re: 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: The parties will meet and confer to submit a joint scheduling plan for fully briefing the newly-filed preliminary injunction motion dates for objections and a reply. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 5/22/2025. (Jackson, Ryan)

44 May 22, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas H. Castelli on behalf of State of Oregon (Castelli, Thomas) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

RECAP
45 May 23, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Brian S. Carter on behalf of State of Minnesota (Carter, Brian) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

RECAP
46 May 23, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Sara Miron Bloom on behalf of All Defendants (Bloom, Sara) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

RECAP
47 May 23, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Joel Marrero on behalf of State of California (Marrero, Joel) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

RECAP
48 May 23, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Rachna Vyas on behalf of All Defendants (Vyas, Rachna) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

RECAP
49 May 23, 2025

First MOTION to Amend/Correct 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by State of California. Responses due by 6/6/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Declaration of Deylin Thrift-Viveros in support of Plaintiff State's Amended Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, # 2 Supplement Declaration of Service by E-mail)(Thrift-Viveros, Deylin) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

1 Supplement Declaration of Deylin Thrift-Viveros in support of Plaintiff State�

View on RECAP

2 Supplement Declaration of Service by E-mail

View on RECAP

RECAP
May 27, 2025

TEXT ORDER: Defendants' response to the Motion for a Preliminary Injunction 41 is due June 5, 2025; Plaintiffs' reply is due June 9, 2025. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 5/27/2025. (Jackson, Ryan)

May 27, 2025

TEXT ORDER granting 49 Motion to Amend 41 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 5/27/2025. (Jackson, Ryan)

50 May 29, 2025

SUMMONS Returned Executed by State of Rhode Island. Sean P. Duffy served on 5/28/2025, answer due 6/18/2025; United States Department of Transportation served on 5/28/2025, answer due 6/18/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Executed - Duffy)(Reynolds, Patrick) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

RECAP
51 June 5, 2025

RESPONSE In Opposition to 49 First MOTION to Amend/Correct 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Sean P. Duffy, United States Department of Transportation. Replies due by 6/12/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Rhea Hubbard)(Vyas, Rachna) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

1 Affidavit Declaration of Rhea Hubbard

View on PACER

RECAP
52 June 9, 2025

MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief filed by Immigration Reform Law Institute. Responses due by 6/23/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Supporting Memorandum Proposed Amicus)(Larisa, Joseph) (Entered: 06/09/2025)

RECAP
53 June 9, 2025

REPLY to Response re 51 Response to Motion, filed by All Plaintiffs. (Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 06/09/2025)

RECAP
June 10, 2025

TEXT ORDER denying 52 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief: The Court is not accepting Amici briefs in this case; both sides are adequately represented in this legal matter. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 6/10/2025. (Jackson, Ryan)

54 June 11, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Hannah Vail on behalf of Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Vail, Hannah) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

RECAP
June 12, 2025

NOTICE of Hearing on 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: Motion Hearing scheduled for Tuesday 6/17/2025 at 9:30 AM in Courtroom 1 before Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. This hearing will be available for viewing via the Court's YouTube channel (details will be available on the Court's website the day of the hearing). (Jackson, Ryan)

June 12, 2025

Reset Hearings re: Notice of Hearing on 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: Motion Hearing RESCHEDULED to MONDAY 6/30/2025 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 1 before Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.; In light of a Court Scheduling Conflict, this matter is hereby RESCHEDULED. This hearing will be available for viewing via the Court's YouTube channel (details will be available on the Court's website the day of the hearing) (Jackson, Ryan)

June 12, 2025

Reset Hearings re: Notice of Hearing on 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: Motion Hearing RESCHEDULED to WEDNESDAY 6/18/2025 at 9:00 AM in Courtroom 1 before Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. This matter is hereby RESCHEDULED at the request of counsel for both parties. The hearing previously scheduled for 6/30/25 is hereby CANCELLED.This hearing will be available for viewing via the Court's YouTube channel (details will be available on the Court's website the day of the hearing). Each party will be limited to 45 minutes for their respective arguments at this hearing. (Jackson, Ryan)

55 June 17, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Robert Newman Brewer on behalf of State of Maryland (Brewer, Robert) (Entered: 06/17/2025)

RECAP
June 18, 2025

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.: Motion Hearing held on 6/18/2025 re: 41 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by State of Rhode Island, et al.: Counsel present: D. Tran, P. Reynolds; S. Bloom, K. Hubbard. Plaintiffs (Tran) argue their motion for preliminary injunction; Court questions plaintiffs. Defendants (Bloom) argue against the motion; Court questions defendants. Plaintiffs give brief rebuttal argument. Court takes the matter under advisement. Adjourned. (Court Reporter Denise Veitch in Courtroom 1 at 9:05 AM) (Jackson, Ryan)

57 June 19, 2025

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION entered and Defendants' request to stay is denied. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 6/19/2025. (Perry, Frank) (Entered: 06/19/2025)

Clearinghouse
56 June 19, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Brandy Doyle on behalf of State of California (Doyle, Brandy) (Entered: 06/19/2025)

RECAP
58 June 25, 2025

TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on 06/18/2025 before Judge Chief Judge McConnell. 3-Day Transcript Selected. Transcript to be delivered within 3 calendar days.. (Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 06/25/2025)

RECAP
59 June 27, 2025

TRANSCRIPT ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENT Entered re: 58 Transcript Order. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Denise Veitch. (Dias, Jennifer) (Entered: 06/27/2025)

RECAP
60 July 1, 2025

TRANSCRIPT of Plaintiff States' Motion for Preliminary Injunction, held on June 18, 2025, before Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. Court Reporter Denise P. Veitch, Telephone number (401) 752-7031. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through the Court Reporter or PACER. NOTICE TO COUNSEL: Redaction Requests must be filed for personal identifiers only. All other redactions must be requested by motion. For local policy and sample redaction request visit our website at www.rid.uscourts.gov and select Transcripts under the Case Information menu option. Redaction Request due 7/22/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 8/1/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 9/29/2025. (Veitch, Denise) (Entered: 07/01/2025)

RECAP
61 July 8, 2025

AMENDED COMPLAINT FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF against Sean P. Duffy, United States Department of Transportation, filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State of Connecticut, State of Oregon, State of Illinois, State of California, State of Vermont, State of New York, State of Minnesota, State of Colorado, State of New Jersey, State of Hawai'i, People of the State of Michigan, State of Wisconsin, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Delaware, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of Maine, State of Maryland.(Tran, Delbert) Modified on 7/9/2025: removed a non-filing party that was inadvertently connected as a "filer" of this event. (Jackson, Ryan). (Entered: 07/08/2025)

Clearinghouse
62 July 10, 2025

First MOTION to Amend/Correct 57 Preliminary Injunction Plaintiffs States' Motion to Modify Preliminary Injunction filed by State of California. Responses due by 7/24/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, # 2 Exhibit Declaration of Sharon Kershbaum, # 3 Exhibit Declaration of James P. Gray)(Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

1 Exhibit First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit Declaration of Sharon Kershbaum

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit Declaration of James P. Gray

View on RECAP

RECAP
63 July 11, 2025

TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on 06/18/2025 before Judge Judge Chief Judge McConnell. Daily Transcript selected. Transcript to be delivered following adjournment and prior to the normal opening hour of court on the following morning.. (Sellstrom, Oren) (Entered: 07/11/2025)

RECAP
64 July 11, 2025

TRANSCRIPT ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENT Entered re: 63 Transcript Order. Daily Transcript Ordered. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Denise Veitch. (Simoncelli, Michael) (Entered: 07/11/2025)

RECAP
65 July 16, 2025

RESPONSE In Opposition to 62 First MOTION to Amend/Correct 57 Preliminary Injunction Plaintiffs States' Motion to Modify Preliminary Injunction filed by Sean P. Duffy, United States Department of Transportation. Replies due by 7/23/2025. (Vyas, Rachna) (Entered: 07/16/2025)

RECAP
July 17, 2025

Order on Motion to Amend/Correct

July 17, 2025

TEXT ORDER granting 62 Motion to Amend the Preliminary Injunction: Plaintiff's Motion to Amend the Preliminary Injunction 62 is GRANTED. The Plaintiff has shown through their submission that the preliminary injunction should apply to newly added Plaintiffs the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for all the reasons the Court has previously ruled the preliminary injunction should apply to the original state Plaintiffs. The Defendants produced no counter evidence. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 7/17/2025. (Jackson, Ryan)

66 July 22, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Mitchell Reich on behalf of District of Columbia (Reich, Mitchell) (Entered: 07/22/2025)

RECAP
67 July 24, 2025

Joint MOTION to Expedite Briefing Schedule filed by Sean P. Duffy, United States Department of Transportation. Responses due by 8/7/2025. (Vyas, Rachna) (Entered: 07/24/2025)

RECAP
July 25, 2025

Order on Motion to Expedite

July 25, 2025

TEXT ORDER granting 67 Motion to Expedite Briefing Schedule: Plaintiffs will file their motion for summary judgment and Defendants will file their cross-motion for summary judgment on or before 8/19/25. Defendants will file their opposition and reply to Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment and Plaintiffs will file their opposition and reply to Defendants' cross-motion for summary judgment on or before 9/24/25. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 7/25/2025. (Jackson, Ryan)

68 Aug. 19, 2025

Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Sean P. Duffy, United States Department of Transportation. Responses due by 9/2/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Loren A. Smith, # 2 Affidavit Declaration of Shannon Louie)(Vyas, Rachna) (Entered: 08/19/2025)

1 Affidavit Declaration of Loren A. Smith

View on RECAP

2 Affidavit Declaration of Shannon Louie

View on RECAP

RECAP
69 Aug. 19, 2025

MOTION for Summary Judgment PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 9/2/2025. (Attachments: # 1 PLAINTIFF STATES REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, # 2 Exhibit INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT VOLUME I OF IV, # 3 Exhibit INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT VOLUME II OF IV, # 4 Exhibit INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT VOLUME III OF IV, # 5 Exhibit INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT VOLUME IV OF IV)(Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 08/19/2025)

1 PLAINTIFF STATES REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF STATES MOT

View on PACER

2 Exhibit INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT VOLUME

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT VOLUME

View on PACER

4 Exhibit INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT VOLUME

View on PACER

5 Exhibit INDEX OF EXHIBITS TO PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT VOLUME

View on PACER

RECAP
70 Aug. 25, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Ben Harrington on behalf of State of Maryland (Harrington, Ben) (Entered: 08/25/2025)

RECAP
71 Sept. 4, 2025

NOTICE by State of California of Withdrawal of Counsel (Medeiros, Christopher) (Entered: 09/04/2025)

RECAP
72 Sept. 24, 2025

RESPONSE In Opposition to 69 MOTION for Summary Judgment PLAINTIFF STATES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT filed by Sean P. Duffy, United States Department of Transportation. Replies due by 10/1/2025. (Vyas, Rachna) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

RECAP
73 Sept. 24, 2025

REPLY to Response re 72 Response to Motion, Plaintiff States Reply in Support of Their Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment filed by All Plaintiffs. (Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

RECAP
74 Nov. 4, 2025

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER denying 68 Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment; granting 69 Motion for Summary Judgment. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 11/4/2025. (Jackson, Ryan) (Entered: 11/04/2025)

Clearinghouse
75 Nov. 4, 2025

JUDGMENT in favor of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, District of Columbia, People of the State of Michigan, State of California, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Delaware, State of Hawai'i, State of Illinois, State of Maine, State of Maryland, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Jersey, State of New Mexico, State of New York, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Vermont, State of Washington, State of Wisconsin against United States Department of Transportation, Sean P. Duffy. So Ordered by Deputy Clerk: Ryan H. Jackson on 11/4/2025. (Jackson, Ryan) (Entered: 11/04/2025)

Clearinghouse
76 Nov. 17, 2025

First MOTION to Clarify Scope of Summary Judgment Order and Final Judgment filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 12/1/2025. (Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 11/17/2025)

RECAP
Nov. 18, 2025

Order on Motion to Clarify

Nov. 18, 2025

TEXT ORDER granting as unopposed 76 Motion to Clarify: granting as unopposed Plaintiffs' Motion to Clarify Scope of Summary Judgment Order and Final Judgment (ECF No. 76). The Court's permanent injunction issued in its Summary Judgment Order (ECF No. 74) and Final Judgment (ECF No. 75) extends to all 22 Plaintiff States and all instrumentalities and local subdivisions within those States. Defendants are ordered to (1) remove all conditions requiring cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement from future grant agreements administered by Defendants, and (2) issue a notice to grant recipients stating that U.S. DOT will not include (or consider void and stricken, to the extent they already exist) any conditions requiring cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement in any grant agreements administered by Defendants. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 11/18/2025. (Jackson, Ryan)

77 Jan. 2, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Lauren Sandler Zurier on behalf of All Defendants (Zurier, Lauren) (Entered: 01/02/2026)

RECAP
78 Jan. 2, 2026

NOTICE OF APPEAL by United States Department of Transportation as to Order on Motion to Clarify,,, 75 Judgment,, 74 Order on Motion for Summary Judgment, (No fee paid, USA, Waived by Statute, or IFP.) NOTICE TO COUNSEL: Counsel should register for a First Circuit CM/ECF Appellate Filer Account at http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/cmecf/. Counsel should also review the First Circuit requirements for electronic filing by visiting the CM/ECF Information section at http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/cmecf Appeal Record due by 1/9/2026. (Zurier, Lauren) (Entered: 01/02/2026)

RECAP
79 Jan. 5, 2026

CLERK'S CERTIFICATE AND APPELLATE COVER SHEET: Abbreviated record on appeal consisting of notice of appeal, order(s) being appealed, and a certified copy of the district court docket report transmitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in accordance with 1st Cir. R. 11.0(b). 78 Notice of Appeal,,. (Attachments: # 1 Record on Appeal)(Hill, Cherelle) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

1 Record on Appeal

View on PACER

RECAP
Jan. 5, 2026

USCA Case Number

Jan. 5, 2026

USCA Case Number 26-1026 for 78 Notice of Appeal,, filed by United States Department of Transportation. (Hill, Cherelle)

80 Jan. 22, 2026

JUDGMENT of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit entered as to 78 Notice of Appeal,, filed by United States Department of Transportation. JUDGMENT dismissing case pursuant to Fed. R. App. P. 42(b). 26-1026 42b. [26-1026] (Hill, Cherelle) (Entered: 01/22/2026)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Rhode Island

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump 1.0 & 2.0 Immigration Enforcement Order Challenges

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 13, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

22 states

Plaintiff Type(s):

State Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Department of Transportation

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Separation of Powers

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Other Dockets:

District of Rhode Island 1:25-cv-00208

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 26-01026

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

General/Misc.:

Funding

Immigration/Border:

Sanctuary city/state

Recommended Citation