#Boston won $20M to improve infrastructure in a historically underserved area. Then the Trump administration pulled the funding because the project included EV chargers. Today, we sued the U.S. Dept of Transportation on Boston’s behalf to restore the funding. https://ow.ly/ruyb50ZSlHe

The DOJ is trying to force a Columbus, Ohio, municipal court to open its doors to ICE civil arrests. We’re fighting back. Friday, we asked a federal court to defend Franklin County Municipal Court’s right to keep civil arrests out of its courthouse. https://ow.ly/yOm550ZSlps

You can’t cut half of FEMA’s workforce based on a number “pulled from thin air.” A federal court ruled DHS’s plan to slash FEMA staffing was unlawful — a major step toward protecting the agency communities depend on when disaster strikes. More on AFGE v. Trump: https://ow.ly/LE6G50ZQzql

We’re continuing to defend local election authority. Our latest brief, joined by 16 election officials + 10 local governments, urges an appeals court to uphold the dismissal of DOJ’s case seeking sensitive Minnesota voter data. This is our 6th brief in these cases. https://ow.ly/MToh50ZOq7A

ICYMI: "A coalition of six local governments led by New York City sued the Trump administration Monday to block a new rule concerning immigration, arguing it could jeopardize green card applications and frighten families away from assistance for which they are legally eligible."

NYC leads lawsuit over Trump rule linking benefits to green cards

New York City and other local governments are suing the Trump administration to block its new rule linking benefits to green cards

usatoday.com

Polling places are for voting, not immigration enforcement. Denver is suing DHS over its policy threatening armed ICE activity at polling places during the 2026 election season. PRP and Democracy Forward are serving as co-counsel. Learn more: https://ow.ly/fKJz50ZM6cb

We’re suing DHS over its new “public charge” rule that would make it harder for immigrants to enter or stay in the country if they use government benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, or housing assistance. We’re asking the court to block this cruel and unlawful rule. https://ow.ly/vSuo50ZNw7T

Election officials are already preparing for the midterms. With The Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR), we filed an amicus brief on behalf of 100+ election officials & local governments urging SCOTUS to keep blocking the new USPS mail-ballot rule. https://ow.ly/9Hcz50ZLEx6

State constitutions and laws give cities substantial authority to run their own affairs. In the latest contribution to the “Fight Back” series, Jill Habig from Public Rights Project (@publicrightspro.bsky.social) traces 170+ years of local resistance to federal overreach.

Cities as Nodes of Resistance

State constitutions and laws give cities substantial authority to run their own affairs and resist federal overreach.

justsecurity.org

Cities have always been powerful strongholds of resistance. In Just Security, PRP CEO Jill Habig writes about how cities have used a number of tools to protect their communities — and why local power matters more than ever in the face of rising authoritarianism. 🔗 https://ow.ly/mbrS50ZJxzp

Cities as Nodes of Resistance

State constitutions and laws give cities substantial authority to run their own affairs and resist federal overreach.

ow.ly

Our lawsuit against DHS is making national news. We’re proud to represent Nashville, Harris County, Columbus, and El Paso County alongside Protect Democracy, Brennan Center, & Jacobson Lawyers Group. Read the Axios article:

Trump's "election integrity" threat: Defunding state and local police

"They are trying to defund public safety and counterterrorism" to get voting restrictions.

ow.ly

Last week, a district court dismissed the Trump administration’s attempt to force Washtenaw County, #Michigan to enforce its harmful #immigration policies. The court cited our brief on behalf of 147 local governments. The administration is now 0–7 in these cases. https://ow.ly/xqWX50ZFF7C

Last week, we filed 3 amicus briefs on behalf of 75 local election officials and 11 local governments. We’re making sure courts hear their expertise. 1️⃣ U.S. v. WEC: https://ow.ly/gsML50ZFW7H 2️⃣ U.S. v. Galvin: https://ow.ly/4C4250ZFW7G 3️⃣ U.S. v. Bellows: https://ow.ly/G5U850ZFW7I

HUGE VICTORY! Appeals court rejects Trump admin's attempt to hold federal funding hostage. With more than $14B in federal funding at stake, the court’s ruling protects some of the funding for essential public services! We're so proud to have fought and won this case with local governments!

ICYMI: Big news from last week! "A coalition of cities and counties [last week] sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in federal court for withholding tens of millions of dollars in public safety grants unless states and local governments agree to alter how they run elections."

FEMA public safety grant policy challenged in city, county lawsuit

Four local governments sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over new requirements that would withhold $200 million in funding unless they verify voter citizenship and switch to paper ballots.

smartcitiesdive.com

🚨 WE’RE SUING DHS. AGAIN. PRP, Protect Democracy, Brennan Center, & Jacobson Lawyers Group are representing 4 local governments challenging DHS’s attempt to use homeland security funding as leverage over how communities run their elections. Read more: https://ow.ly/hcHp50ZAEMV

We won. 🎉 A federal court blocked HUD’s unlawful attempt to rewrite the rules for critical homelessness funding — protecting resources cities rely on to support people experiencing homelessness. We’re proud to stand with our clients and partners in this fight. https://ow.ly/68MQ50ZyyX1

With only months until the Nov election, the federal govt is asking the nation’s highest court to overturn a lower court’s ruling so the March 2026 executive order can take effect. We’re proud to stand with the 118 election officials defending the rights of all eligible voters to cast a ballot.

Earlier this week, Albuquerque and Public Rights Project responded to the DOJ’s claims that the city’s immigrant-friendly ordinance is an obstacle to ICE’s work. We’re urging the court to dismiss its case against Albuquerque once and for all.

"The County of Monterey is leading a regional effort to oppose a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Santa Clara County, organizing a coalition of 26 cities and counties to support a legal challenge seeking to halt the project."

County of Monterey spearheads coalition to oppose ICE detention center near Gilroy

GILROY – The County of Monterey is leading a regional effort to oppose a proposed U.S. Immigration a...

sanluisobispo.com

"Legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and Syrians in the U.S. have ended after the Supreme Court upheld the termination of their Temporary Protected Status, a ruling that could reshape the program's future." Here's where things stand right now.

How the Supreme Court deepened uncertainty over Temporary Protected Status

The ruling could reshape Temporary Protected Status and affect hundreds of thousands of people.

axios.com

ICYMI: Last week, a district court judge told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it must resume distributing the grant funds via the federal Environmental and Climate Justice program.

EPA ordered—again—to release $2.8 billion in climate justice funds

The Trump administration’s interpretation of a recent court ruling was soundly rejected.

motherjones.com

Today, we’re thrilled to announce our 2026 Affirmative Leaders Fellows! 🎉 Meet them here: https://ow.ly/btLQ50Zt9cb

"Rights don't remain safe. The work to protect and advance them is always ongoing." Meet our new Chief Development Officer, Courtney Spellacy! Read why she joined PRP and why she believes local governments have a critical role in defending civil rights.

Meet our chief development officer! - Public Rights Project

Courtney Spellacy joined Public Rights Project as chief development officer in May. Courtney brings years...

ow.ly

Today marks our nation's 250th birthday. America's story has never been finished. We celebrate our progress, reflect honestly on our history, and recommit to building a more just, inclusive, multiracial democracy alongside local leaders nationwide.

HUD is back with another unlawful attack on homelessness funding. Today, PRP sued over 2026 grant rules that threaten housing for thousands and undermine proven solutions. We're standing with local governments to stop them. ⬇️ https://ow.ly/9L3j50ZjLkm

On this day in 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law. It outlawed segregation and discrimination, laying the groundwork for protections all Americans rely on today. Today, we help carry on its legacy — by helping local governments defend their communities’ civil rights.

Public Rights Project: Partnering with Local Governments

We help states and cities Protect Our Rights Learn More

publicrightsproject.org

A federal rule restricting commercial driver's licenses for immigrants won't make communities safer, it will hurt them. PRP filed an amicus brief on behalf of 19 local governments challenging the rule. Read more: https://www.publicrightsproject.org/what-we-do/legal-advocacy/lujan-v-fmcsa-oct-2025/

Children born in the U.S. are citizens of the U.S. Today, the Supreme Court preserved birthright citizenship, striking down the president’s 2025 executive order.

Today is the anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges — the #SCOTUS ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. Efforts to reverse it don’t just threaten a legal precedent, but also represent attempts to erase the existence, love, and struggle of the LGBTQ+ community. We stand with them, now and always.