The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today welcomed California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s leadership in a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to condition critical disaster preparedness and emergency response funding on states’ adoption of federal immigration and election policies.
SEE: Two dozen states sue Trump White House for politicizing Fema disaster aid
Led by Attorney General Bonta and joined by attorney generals from 24 other states, the lawsuit seeks to block new conditions imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that would require states to adopt sweeping immigration enforcement and election administration policies or risk losing hundreds of millions of dollars in disaster and emergency preparedness.
These grants support critical emergency preparedness efforts, including first responder capacity, cybersecurity initiatives, and nonprofit security programs that help protect houses of worship and other organizations at risk of targeted attacks.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“Attorney General Bonta is once again demonstrating that California will not stand by while the federal government attempts to weaponize public resources to force states into carrying out a political agenda. This funding exists to protect lives—not to serve as leverage for unrelated immigration or election policies. Americans deserve a government that defends both our constitution and our communities.
“We appreciate Attorney General Bonta’s continued leadership in defending the rule of law, and we encourage all our elected officials to continue challenging federal actions that threaten the rights, safety, and dignity of all Californians.”
CAIR-CA is the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Senior Operations & Development Manager Elle Dunlap, edunlap@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, (760) 201-7626, tnizam@cair.com; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779 or ladam@cair.com
