Marin County is teaming 48 other jurisdictions across the country to sue the Trump administration over its efforts to punish local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

“Joining this lawsuit helps protect the county’s critical federal funding,” Supervisor Mary Sackett said. “We’re proud to stand in solidarity with local governments across the country defending our rights to govern locally and uphold public safety without fear or intimidation.”

The suit challenges three related executive orders issued by President Trump, as well as directives issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

According to the suit, Executive Order No. 14,149 directed Bondi and Noem to withhold all federal funds from jurisdictions that refuse to use their local resources to carry out Trump’s immigration agenda.

The suit also cites Executive Order 14,218, which, according to the action, targets such jurisdictions by directing all executive departments and agencies to ensure that “Federal payments to states and localities do not … abet so-called ‘sanctuary’ policies.”

The plaintiffs also cite Executive Order 14,287, which directs all executive departments and agencies “in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget” to “identify appropriate federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions including grants and contracts for, suspension or termination.”

The suit also challenges a directive by Bondi issued on Feb. 5 that it states threatens civil and criminal prosecution of any jurisdiction that refuses to comply with “applicable immigration-related federal laws.”

The suit asserts that Bondi and the Department of Justice have “made good on these threats, filing lawsuits against states and localities with policies limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.”

The complaint adds that Noem issued a memo on Feb. 19 directing components of the Department of Homeland Security to stop providing federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions and to make criminal referrals to the Department of Justice.

The suit asserts that these orders and directives “violate the Tenth Amendment, Separation of Powers, the Spending Clause and the Due Process Clause.” It asks the court to find the actions unconstitutional and invalid, and to issue preliminary and permanent injunctions preventing their implementation.

The complaint was filed initially on Feb. 7 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by San Francisco; Santa Clara County; King County, Washington; and New Haven, Connecticut.

Attorneys representing the defendants could not immediately be reached for comment.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick issued a preliminary injunction on April 23, writing that the plaintiffs “faced irreparable harm absent an injunction.” The lawsuit was amended on Tuesday to add Marin County and 33 other local governments.

The suit notes that in 2020, Marin County supervisors reaffirmed the county’s support for California Senate Bill 54, which limits the use of local resources for federal immigration enforcement.

In addition, the suit states that Marin County deputies are prohibited from inquiring into anyone’s immigration status for enforcement purposes and may not detain or arrest anyone solely based on immigration status or a civil immigration warrant.

“Our policies have not changed, and we will continue to follow the law as written under SB 54,” Sheriff Jamie Scardina said.

Transfers to immigration authorities are permitted only in specific circumstances, such as when the person has a qualifying felony conviction or is subject to a judicial warrant or outstanding federal felony warrant.

“This is about protecting the values and priorities of Marin County residents,” said Marin County Counsel Brian Washington. “The federal government cannot coerce local jurisdictions into doing its job through illegal threats to critical funding. We’re standing up for our constitutional rights — and for our community.”

Pat Johnstone, who heads the Democratic Central Committee of Marin, said, “We are definitely in favor of the county joining this lawsuit. Until the midterm elections, the courts are pretty much the only guardrails we have against the abuses that are happening, the ignoring of due process and everything else. We are seeing a great breakdown in the separation of powers.”

John Turnacliff, chair of the county Republican party, said, “We are disappointed that Marin County chose to join the lawsuit opposing federal immigration enforcement. Their duty is to the citizens of this county, our state, and our country — not to non-citizens who are here illegally.”

“For too long, California has ignored federal authority,” Turnacliff said. “Now, under President Trump’s leadership, the federal government is finally pushing back. If the state wants federal funding, it must follow federal law.”