WASHINGTON — The federal government plans to tie its transportation grants to compliance with President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI and immigration policies.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a reminder Thursday to all of the agency’s grant recipients insisting they comply with federal law and threatening enforcement actions if they don’t. 

What You Need To Know

  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a reminder Thursday to all of the agency’s grant recipients insisting they comply with federal immigration and anti-discrimination laws and threatening enforcement if they don’t

  • “Enforce our immigration rules, end anti-American DEI policies and protect free speech,” Duffy said in a statement

  • In his reminder, Duffy said states that receive DOT funds are in legally enforceable agreements with the federal government that obligate them to comply with federal laws 

  • Roughly 7.6% of states’ transportation funding comes from the federal government, according to a recent analysis from the Pew Charitable Trusts

“It shouldn’t be controversial. Enforce our immigration rules, end anti-American DEI policies and protect free speech,” Duffy said in a statement. “These values reflect the priorities of the American people, and I will take action to ensure compliance.”

In his reminder, Duffy said states that receive DOT funds are in legally enforceable agreements with the federal government that obligate them to comply with laws that enforce illegal immigration controls and require the protection of free speech and religious liberty.

About $47 billion of the Transportation Department’s $233 billion current fiscal year budget is designated for grants, according to the watchdog website USASpending.gov. Roughly 7.6% of states’ transportation funding comes from the federal government, according to a recent analysis from the Pew Charitable Trusts. 

Without citing specifics, Duffy said some DOT grant recipients are not complying with Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigations or are issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented citizens.

Nineteen states currently allow undocumented immigrants to receive driver’s licenses, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, including California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Vermont and Washington. 

“Such actions undermine federal sovereignty in the enforcement of immigration law, compromise the safety and security of the transportation systems supported by DOT financial assistance and prioritize illegal aliens over the safety and welfare of the American people whose federal taxes fund DOT’s financial assistance programs,” Duffy wrote.

He cited a White House executive order that directed the Department of Homeland Security and Attorney General Pam Bondi to deny federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions. 

On Thursday, a federal judge barred the Trump administration from denying or conditioning federal funds to sanctuary cities that refuse to participate in immigration enforcement, saying the executive order was unconstitutional.

Duffy also cited a seperate executive order ending DEI programs within government, saying recipients of DOT grants must ensure their personnel practices are merit based and do not balance their workforces based on race, sex, gender identity, sexual preference or religion. 

Several lawsuits have been filed against the Trump administration’s anti-DEI executive order.