New Haven, October 21, 2025
News Summary
New Haven’s Mayor Justin Elicker announced the city’s participation in a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security regarding controversial federal grant conditions. The lawsuit, led by Chicago, involves nine municipalities challenging stipulations that require political compliance for emergency management funding. If not addressed, New Haven risks losing critical funding for port security upgrades. The case highlights broader concerns over federal authority in local governance.
New Haven — Mayor Justin Elicker announced on October 21, 2025, that New Haven is joining a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning new federal grant requirements that allegedly tie emergency management funding to political compliance. New Haven is one of nine American cities and counties participating in the lawsuit, which is led by Chicago as the main plaintiff. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is named as the lead defendant in this case.
What the lawsuit challenges
The cities involved in the suit assert that DHS’s updated terms and conditions use federal funding to coerce local governments into compliance with unrelated domestic policies. City officials specifically contest grant stipulations that require recipients to agree to not operate programs that promote “DEI, DEIA, or discriminatory equity ideology” and to comply with executive orders. The challenge argues that tying emergency and homeland security funding to compliance with these conditions is an unlawful use of federal grant authority.
New Haven’s immediate stake
In New Haven, the dispute centers around a grant of $93,597 from FEMA’s port security grant program intended for upgrades to the city’s port camera systems, which are critical for incident response at the port. The city submitted an application for over $2 million in federal grants for various port projects, but was only offered funding for the camera upgrades. The deadline to sign the grant agreement is November 27, 2025; if not signed, New Haven risks losing the funding.
Legal strategy and support
The lawsuit is led by Chicago and includes several other jurisdictions: Baltimore, Boston, Denver, Minneapolis, New York City, Ramsey County, and Saint Paul. The Public Rights Project, a California-based legal advocacy group, is assisting New Haven in the lawsuit and covering some legal costs. Michael Bowler, assistant counsel for New Haven, noted that DHS’s new conditions apply to grants from all federal agencies moving forward.
Local consequences and options
City leaders say they cannot accept the new stipulations because the requirements do not align with New Haven’s values and are impractical for municipalities to implement. Elicker indicated challenges would arise if the grant funding was not secured, including the possibility of maintaining old infrastructure, seeking alternative funding, or increasing taxes. The mayor has sought a preliminary injunction from a federal judge to prevent reliance on the contested requirements by the grant deadline.
Broader context
The filing is part of a coordinated response by several cities and counties that view the DHS changes as part of a broader federal push to condition grants on policy compliance. New Haven’s lawsuit against the Trump administration is its third; previously, the city participated in lawsuits concerning sanctuary cities and funding issues related to environmental projects. The current litigation frames the dispute as a matter of federal grant rules, local government operations, and the limits of federal authority to attach conditions to aid.
Next steps
The case will proceed through federal court, where the cities will seek relief that could include a preliminary injunction before the November 27, 2025 signing deadline. If a court blocks enforcement of the contested terms, New Haven could accept the FEMA port security award and proceed with the camera upgrades. If not, the city must weigh alternatives to complete needed port security work.
FAQ
When did New Haven announce joining the lawsuit?
Mayor Justin Elicker announced on October 21, 2025, that New Haven is joining a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning new federal grant requirements that allegedly tie emergency management funding to political compliance.
How many cities and counties are part of the lawsuit and who leads it?
New Haven is one of nine American cities and counties participating in the lawsuit, which is led by Chicago as the main plaintiff.
Who is named as the lead defendant?
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is named as the lead defendant in this case.
What grant is at the center of New Haven’s dispute?
In New Haven, the dispute centers around a grant of $93,597 from FEMA’s port security grant program intended for upgrades to the city’s port camera systems, which are critical for incident response at the port.
What is the signing deadline for the grant agreement?
The deadline to sign the grant agreement is November 27, 2025; if not signed, New Haven risks losing the funding.
Who is assisting New Haven legally?
The Public Rights Project, a California-based legal advocacy group, is assisting New Haven in the lawsuit and covering some legal costs.
What do the cities argue about DHS’s updated terms?
The cities argue that the DHS’s updated terms and conditions use federal funding to coerce local governments into compliance with unrelated domestic policies.
Which specific grant stipulations are being contested?
City officials contest specific grant stipulations that require recipients to agree to not operate programs that promote “DEI, DEIA, or discriminatory equity ideology” and to comply with executive orders.
Did New Haven apply for other port funding?
The city submitted an application for over $2 million in federal grants for various port projects, but was only offered funding for the camera upgrades.
What outcomes did the mayor outline if funding is not secured?
Elicker indicated challenges would arise if the grant funding was not secured, including the possibility of maintaining old infrastructure, seeking alternative funding, or increasing taxes.
Has New Haven been involved in similar lawsuits?
New Haven’s lawsuit against the Trump administration is its third; previously, the city participated in lawsuits concerning sanctuary cities and funding issues related to environmental projects.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Announcement date | October 21, 2025 |
| Lead plaintiff | Chicago |
| Number of participating cities/counties | Nine (including New Haven) |
| Named lead defendant | Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem |
| New Haven grant amount at issue | $93,597 (FEMA port security grant) |
| City’s broader port applications | Application for over $2 million; only camera funding offered |
| Grant signing deadline | November 27, 2025 |
| Legal support for New Haven | The Public Rights Project (covering some legal costs) |
| Potential local effects if funds lost | Maintain old infrastructure, seek alternative funding, or increase taxes |
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Additional Resources
- Yale Daily News: New Haven Joins Lawsuit Challenging New Conditions for Federal Funds
- ABC7 Chicago: City of Chicago Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration
- FOX61: New Haven Joins Eight Local Municipalities Lawsuit Against Trump Administration
- Wikipedia: Federal Grant
- Google Search: Department of Homeland Security
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