Search â–¸ Agenda item attachment
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases
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CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
OFFICE OF THE CITY SOLICITOR
Lawsuits Challenging Federal Actions that Involve the City, or of Special Interest to the City – Sept. 29, 2025 Update
Lawsuit Name
Case No. / Case
Citation
Summary of Lawsuit
Status
King County v.
Turner
25-3664
(9th Circuit);
25-cv-00814
(W.D. Wash.)
The City of Cambridge is a plaintiff in this case.
Plaintiffs sued Secretary of Transportation, HUD, Secretary of HHS, and HHS for
imposing conditions on grants to local governments, including HUD Continuum of
Care and DOT grants. The conditions include prohibitions on DEI, "gender
ideology," "elective abortions," and aid to immigrants. The imposed conditions
threaten over $12 billion dollars in federal funding. Local governments argue that
in imposing conditions on grants, the federal government violates the separation
of powers, Spending Clause, the Tenth Amendment, the Due Process Clause
(Vagueness), and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
Preliminary Injunction entered in favor of local governments on June 3, 2025. The Preliminary
Injunction Order has allowed the City to enter into grant agreements with HUD for the Continuum of
Care grant funds. Federal government appealed. Appeal pending.
Plaintiffs most recent Motion for Preliminary Injunction, asking the Court to order that the conditions do
not apply to additional grants, such as CDBG grants, was granted on August 12, 2025. Federal
government appealed the August 12 order.
San Francisco v.
Trump
25-cv- 01350
(N.D. Cal.)
The City of Cambridge is a plaintiff in this case.
Lawsuit to enjoin enforcement of President Trump’s initial Sanctuary Jurisdiction
Executive Order (EO). Plaintiffs argue the EO violates the Tenth Amendment,
Separation of Powers, Spending Clause, and Due Process Clause.
Preliminary Injunction entered in favor of local governments, ordering that the Federal Government
cannot enforce the Sanctuary Jurisdiction EO. Federal Government Appealed. Appeal oral argument
scheduled for December 5, 2025. Federal Government’s motion to dismiss hearing scheduled for
November 5, 2025.
Cambridge added as a plaintiff. Plaintiffs filed a second Motion for Preliminary Injunction asking the
Court to prevent the Federal Government from enforcing both Sanctuary Jurisdiction EOs against all
of the Plaintiffs and prospective Plaintiffs, including Cambridge. The Court allowed the motion.
California v.
United States
DOT
25-cv-00208
(D.R.I.)
An order in this case applies to the City of Cambridge.
States challenge an April 24, 2025, letter issued by Secretary Duffy, requiring
recipients of DOT grants to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The
letter does not define what constitutes “cooperation.” States allege that the
conditions are beyond DOT’s authority.
Preliminary Injunction entered on June 19, 2025 (extended to newly added plaintiffs on July 17, 2025), which
protects funding for the states that brought the suit, including Massachusetts, and the local governments in
those states, including Cambridge. Motions for summary judgment filed on August 19, 2025.
State of New
York v. U.S.
Department of
Justice
(PWORA case)
25-cv-00345
(D.R.I.)
An order in this case applies to the City of Cambridge.
States challenged the revocation of various exemptions under the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).
PRWORA is part of the federal welfare system and governs the eligibility of
noncitizens for public benefits. Several federal agencies issued new requirements
requiring recipients of federal funding to be checked for immigration status. This
has meant that many undocumented immigrants who previously had access to
certain federal benefits under the agency exemptions are no longer exempted.
This also means that states administering federal benefit programs are now
required to implement verification schemes to verify the status of benefit
recipients, even if the programs previously did not require such verification.
On July 30, the federal defendants stipulated they would not enforce the challenged notices against the
plaintiff states until September 10, 2025. The federal defendants also stipulated that they would not
enforce the notices based on conduct occurring in the plaintiff States prior to September 11, 2025; funds
expended in the plaintiff States prior to September 11, 2025; or any other actions taken in reliance on this
Stipulation prior to September 11, 2025. Since Massachusetts is a plaintiff, this applies to Cambridge. On
September 10, 2025, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction, which applies to
Cambridge. On September 23, 2025, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. Defendants moved to stay the
case because of the Federal shutdown. The District Court denied the request.
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Lawsuit Name
Case No. / Case
Citation
Summary of Lawsuit
Status
Newsom v. Trump 25-3727;
25-5553
(9th Circuit);
25-cv-04870
(N.D. CA)
The City of Cambridge joined amicus briefs in the District Court and in the
Appellate Court.
California seeks order prohibiting the Department of Defense from federalizing the
CA National Guard and deploying it to conduct domestic law enforcement without
meeting statutory requirements.
U.S. District Court ruled that federal deployment of CA National Guard was illegal and violated the 10th
amendment. On June 15, 2025, the City of Cambridge joined an amicus brief arguing that the 9th Circuit
should not stay the District Court’s ordered temporary relief. On June 19, 2025, the Ninth Circuit stayed the
lower court order pending appeal. On October 7, 2025, California requested the Ninth Circuit vacate the
June 19th order or grant a motion for an injunction pending appeal.
After a three-day bench trial, on September 2, 2025, the District Court ruled that the federal government
violated the Posse Comitatus Act when it unlawfully deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles for
immigration enforcement operations. The District Court’s ruling will go into effect on September 12, 2025,
and bar “deploying, ordering, instructing, training, or using the National Guard currently deployed in
California, and any military troops heretofore deployed in California, to execute the laws, including but not
limited to engaging in arrests, apprehensions, searches, seizures, security patrols, traffic control, crowd
control, riot control, evidence collection, interrogation, or acting as informants.”
On September 2, 2025, plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction to enjoin an August 5, 2025 order
federalizing and deploying 300 members of California’s National Guard for ninety days and to return control
of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom. On September 4, 2025, the 9th Cir. stayed this order
pending an appeal by the federal government.
The Ninth Circuit scheduled oral argument for October 22, 2025.
Commonwealth of
MA v. National
Institutes of
Health, et al, and
other associated
cases
25-1343 (1st Cir.);
25-cv-10338
(D. Mass.)
The City of Cambridge joined an amicus brief in this case.
MA argues that cap of 15% reimbursement for all new grants, regardless of the
indirect cost needs of the institution, violates the Administrative Procedure Act.
U.S. District Court issued a final judgment enjoining federal government’s 15% cap on
reimbursement for all new grants. Federal government appealed. Appeal pending. Oral argument
scheduled for November 5, 2025.
President and
Fellows of Harvard
College v. DHS, et
al.
25-1627
(1st Cir.)
25-cv-11472
(D. Mass.)
The City of Cambridge intends to file an amicus brief in this case.
Harvard contests federal government’s revocation of Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign
students and otherwise prevent foreign students from enrolling at Harvard.
U.S. District Court entered order enjoining federal government from “implementing, instituting,
maintaining, or giving any force or effect” to the federal government’s revocation of Harvard’s ability to
enroll foreign students. Court likewise enjoined presidential proclamation barring foreign students destined
for Harvard. Federal government appealed. Appeal pending regarding injunction.
On August 6, 2025, the federal government stipulated that “the May 22 letter will not be used to revoke
Harvard’s SEVP certification or Exchange Visitor Program designation. Defendants are currently following
the procedures under 8 C.F.R. §§ 214.3, 214.4 and 22 C.F.R. Part 62.” Harvard did not accept the
stipulation. The federal government has moved to dismiss the District Court case.
President and
Fellows of Harvard
College v. HHS, et
al.
25-cv-11048
(D. Mass.)
Harvard case.
Harvard contests federal government’s withdrawal of federal funding. Harvard argues
that the federal government did not take necessary steps to cancel federal funds.
On September 3, 2025, the District Court ruled that the federal government violated the Constitution, Title
VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and the APA when it froze more than $2.6 billion in Harvard research funding.
The ruling vacated the freeze orders and termination notices Harvard received from the federal government
and permanently enjoined reimposition of unconstitutional conditions on funding. Parties have until
October 17, 2025, to file a status report regarding the filing of a motion to enter final judgment.
United States v.
Illinois, Cook
County, &
Chicago
25-cv-01285
(N.D. Ill.)
Case concerns a similar Welcoming Community Ordinance.
Federal government sued Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago seeking declaratory
and injunctive relief holding that sanctuary policies violate the Supremacy Clause.
On July 25th, the District Court dismissed the case and upheld the sanctuary policies, including
Chicago’s Welcoming Community Ordinance. Local government decisions not to participate in
immigration enforcement are protected by the Tenth Amendment and not preempted by federal law.
The federal government had until August 22, 2025, to amend its complaint. No amended complaint
was filed. The case was dismissed with prejudice on August 26, 2025.
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Lawsuit Name
Case No. / Case
Citation
Summary of Lawsuit
Status
City of Chicago v.
United States
Department of
Homeland
Security
25-cv-05462
(N.D. Ill.)
The City of Boston is a plaintiff in this case.
Lawsuit seeks to enjoin federal government from freezing funding under the
Securing Cities counterterrorism program (STC) and to require the federal
government to process pending and future reimbursement requests pursuant to
law. The complaint alleges that DHS is violating the separation of powers, that its
actions are ultra vires, and that it is violating the APA.
No significant Court orders in this case.
City of Chelsea v.
Trump
25-cv-10442
(D. Mass.)
The Cities of Chelsa and Somerville are plaintiffs in this case.
Lawsuit challenges Protecting the American People from Invasion EO and other
executive actions related to withholding of federal funds based on immigration
policy. The plaintiffs seek to enjoin the federal government from withholding
federal funds based on sanctuary policies.
Somerville and Chelsea filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction. On October 2, 2025, the District
Court denied the Motion for Preliminary Injunction holding that the cities failed to demonstrate they
would suffer imminent and irreparable harm without injunctive relief.
Vasquez-
Perdomo v. Noem
25A169
(Supreme Court)
25-4312
(9th Cir.);
25-cv-05605-
MEMF-SP
The City of Boston has filed an amicus brief in this case.
Lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to enjoin ICE and CBP from engaging
in unconstitutional and unlawful stops of Los Angeles residents during
immigration sweeps. Plaintiffs allege ICE and CBP have a policy and practice of
engaging in unconstitutional stops not based on reasonable, individualized
suspicion of unlawful presence, but instead based on racial profiling.
District Court granted temporary restraining order, in favor of plaintiffs, regarding unlawful stops and
access to counsel. The parties are briefing preliminary injunction and class certification in the District
Court. On September 8, 2025, using its Emergency Docket, the Supreme Court entered a stay
enjoining the temporary restraining order halting the federal government from “stopping individuals
based solely on four factors: (1) their apparent race or ethnicity; (2) whether they spoke Spanish or
English with an accent; (3) the type of location at which they were found (such as a car wash or bus
stop); and (4) the type of job they appeared to work.” This means the federal government may continue
to rely on these four factors alone to stop and seize individuals. Importantly, Justice Kavanaugh
indicated in his concurring opinion that if the case eventually reaches the Supreme Court, then the
Supreme Court will likely reverse any permanent injunctive relief similar to the temporary relief the
District Court previously ordered.
Case returned to District Court for further proceedings.
United States v.
City of Rochester
25-cv-06226
(W.D. NY)
The City of Cambridge joined an amicus brief in this case.
Federal government sued Rochester seeking injunctive relief holding that
sanctuary policies violate the Supremacy Clause.
Cross motions for judgment on the pleadings filed by both parties. Amicus brief, in which Cambridge
joined, filed on August 28, 2025. Arguments not scheduled yet.
United States v.
City of Boston
25-cv-12456
(D.Mass.)
The City of Boston is a defendant in this case.
Federal government sued Boston seeking injunctive relief holding that sanctuary
policies violate the Supremacy Clause.
Boston has until November 17, 2025, to file a response to the Complaint.
State of Oregon v.
Trump
25-cv-01756
(D. Ore.)
The City of Cambridge is joining an amicus brief in this case.
Oregon seeks an order prohibiting the federal government from federalizing
National Guard troops and deploying them to conduct domestic law enforcement
without meeting statutory requirements and in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
District Court granted temporary restraining orders, expiring on October 18 and 19, 2025, enjoining
federal government from deploying federalized National Guard troops in or to Oregon.
State of Illinois
v.Trump
25-cv-12174
(N.D. Ill.)
25-2798
(7th Cir.)
The City of Cambridge is joining an amicus brief in this case.
Illinois seeks an order halting the illegal and unconstitutional federalization and
deployment of members of the National Guard of the United States, including
both the Illinois and Texas National Guard.
District Court granted temporary restraining order, expiring on October 23, 2025, enjoining federal
government from federalizing and deploying National Guard troops within Illinois. Federal government
appealed. Appeal pending. The Appeals Court, pending further argument, entered an order allowing
federalized National Guard troops deployed to Illinois to remain in the state, but those troops may not be
deployed for purposes of law enforcement.