Filed Date: July 25, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case is about the Trump Administration's termination of the Shelter and Services Program (SSP). After President Trump's second term began, he directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to eliminate federal funding from "sanctuary jurisdictions" and terminate grants to organizations supporting "removable or illegal aliens." Following this directive, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reduced Washington's SSP grant award from over $4 million to zero on February 10, 2025. This was followed by a notice of alleged noncompliance on March 11, 2025, and a final official termination of the grant on April 1, 2025, citing a new DHS policy that providing aid to migrants was inconsistent with the agency's current priorities.
On July 25, 2025, the State of Washington filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington against DHS, FEMA, and their respective agency heads. Judge Barbara J. Rothstein was assigned to the case. Plaintiffs argued that defendants illegally and unconstitutionally terminated the SSP grant and brought claims under the:
Represented by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Washington, plaintiffs sought declaratory relief and injunctive relief to set aside the defendants' actions and restore the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) so that the state can continue to provide shelter and services to immigrants.
The court ordered the parties file a joint status report and discovery plan by September 22, 2025. On September 16, 2025 the parties filed a stipulated motion and proposed order setting a new schedule briefing and hearing schedule and asking that the case be resolved through briefing cross-motions for summary judgment. The proposed schedule set a deadline of December 18, 2025 for plaintiffs to file their motion for summary judgment. The court signed the proposed order.
On September 22, 2025 plaintiffs filed an amendment complaint with the same allegations, adding in allegations about Secretary Kristi Noem directing DHS components to place “on hold pending review” grant programs that “touch in any way on immigration,” out of “concern” these programs were funding “illegal activities,” like “inducing” or “harboring . . . illegal aliens.” See Secretary Noem, Memorandum for Component and Office Heads (Jan. 28, 2025). Secretary Noem, however, ordered a hold on all funds administered under the Shelter and Services Program, finding that no review of these programs was necessary prior to cutting funding.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Victoria Tan (8/6/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70917556/parties/state-of-washington-v-united-states-department-of-homeland-security/
Rothstein, Barbara Jacobs (Washington)
Nelson, Emily C (Washington)
Seel, Benjamin M. (Washington)
Carney, Tiffiney (Washington)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70917556/state-of-washington-v-united-states-department-of-homeland-security/
Last updated Nov. 6, 2025, 1:46 p.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: July 25, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
State of Washington
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (- United States (national) -), Federal
Federal Emergency Management Agency (- United States (national) -), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Spending/Appropriations Clauses
Other Dockets:
Western District of Washington 2:25-cv-01401
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.: